Happy Independence Day!

I know all of you back stateside are firing up the grill, grabbing some ice cold drinks, and soaking up the rays while taking a much needed day off work today.  Wait, you’re not?  But it’s Botswana’s Independence Day!  Here are a few facts about Botswana to help you get into a celebratory mood:

48 years ago today, Botswana gained independence from Great Britain.  Jaaka (like) America, Botswana has been a stable democracy and enjoyed better food ever since!  Botswana gained independence without any violence, they simply proposed a democratic self-governance, and the UK accepted.  In fact, Botswana didn’t have any armed forces at the time, and didn’t even form their military (the Botswana Defense Force, or BDF) until 1977.  The BDF now does some foreign peace keeping, but mostly is dedicated to fighting poaching within Botswana’s borders.

Botswana is considered a “middle-income country”, and has the highest credit rating in all of Africa.  In fact, according to Dagong, a credit rating agency based in China, Botswana has a better credit rating than the USA.

The mineral industry provides 40% of Botswana’s annual revenue.  Botswana has the largest diamond mine in the world, both in terms of value and the quantity of carats produced every year.  The majority of diamonds produced from that mine are industrial grade, there are plenty of diamonds from the other mines that are of gem quality, and there is a line if diamonds that were mined here in Botswana called Tswana diamonds.

Here are some photos of the celebration we went to last year in Serowe: