Previously known as Bechuanaland, Botswana gained independence from Britain on 30 September 1966 under the leadership of Seretse Khama. Khama was elected president by the National Assembly in 1966 and then reelected for two additional terms, until he passed away in 1980. Botswana is rich of natural resources like diamond and today the country has achieved one of the highest per capita income rates in Africa.
eventREF E-0096458Revised
30 September 1966
Botswana gains independence from Britain
- Updated
- 25 Sep 2020
How we know this
- 01Democracy Web, ‘Accountability and Transparency: Country Studies – Botswana’, [online], available at www.democracyweb.org (Accessed: 03 September 2013)
- 02Boddy-Evans, A. ‘This Day in African History: 30 September’, [online], available at https://africanhistory.about.com (Accessed: 03 September 2013)
Last updated · 25 Sep 2020
South African History Online. (2013, September 25). Botswana gains independence from Britain. South African History Online. https://sahistory.org.za/ref/E-0096458
South African History Online (2013) 'Botswana gains independence from Britain', South African History Online, 25 September. Available at: https://sahistory.org.za/ref/E-0096458 (Accessed: 26 October 2026).
South African History Online, Botswana gains independence from Britain [website], https://sahistory.org.za/ref/E-0096458, (accessed 26 October 2026).
"Botswana gains independence from Britain." South African History Online, 25 Sept. 2013, https://sahistory.org.za/ref/E-0096458. Accessed 26 Oct. 2026.
South African History Online. "Botswana gains independence from Britain." South African History Online. September 25, 2013. https://sahistory.org.za/ref/E-0096458.
Also on 30 September
- 1941Stephen Gray, SA writer and academic, is born
- 1949The Berlin Airlift comes to an end
- 1949The Berlin Airlift, which delivered food and fuel to West Berliners during a Soviet blockade, and in which the SAA took part, comes to an end
- 1963Tanganyika formally ends all trade ties with South Africa
- 1975Winnie Mandela released from banning order and house arrest
- 1979AZAPO is re-launched in Roodepoort
- 1982The Appeal Court in Bloemfontein restores Ingwavuma to South Africa
- 1986First Black US ambassador is sent to South Africa
Search events by date
This day in history
What happened on your birthday?
SAHO is free because readers fund it. Donate →
Contribute to this record0 comments
Comments are reader contributions. They are not part of the archival record.