Botswana-SA Flag

Date: 30 September, 1966

Bechuanaland, a neglected and 'unimportant' British protectorate since the1880s, gains independence and becomes the Republic of Botswana. Since independence Botswana has become Africa's model for democratic governance holding uninterrupted free and fair multiparty elections every five years. The country has grown from the poorest country in the world to become a middle-income earner within a period of 20 years since gaining independence.

Click here for a broad overview of African independence chronology.

References:

1. Early Protectorate, 1885-1918. History of Bechuanaland. World History at KMLA [Online]. Available at: zum.de [Accessed 30 September 2009]