Botswana

Key facts

POPULATION (2001 Census): 1,680,863

AREA: 582 000 sq km
CAPITAL: Gaborone
LOCAL GOVERNMENT CONTRIBUTION TO GDP: -
CURRENCY: pula (BWP)
HEAD OF STATE AND GOVERNMENT: President Ian Khama
FORM OF GOVERNMENT: republic
PARLIAMENTARY SYSTEM: bicameral
STATE STRUCTURE: unitary
LANGUAGES: English, Setswana (official)
NATIONAL ELECTIONS: last: 2009; turnout: 76.71%; next: 2014
LOCAL ELECTIONS: last: 2009; turnout: 76.5%; next: 2014

Summary

Botswana is a democratic republic with a two tier system of government: central government headed by the president and local government headed by a mayor in towns and a council chairperson in districts. There is no constitutional provision for local government but the main legislative texts are the Local Government (District Councils) Act 1965 and the Townships Act 1965. The Ministry of Local Government (MLG) is charged with providing policy direction and guidance for socioeconomic development at local level. Local government comprises ten district councils, six urban councils and 19 newly formed subdistricts.

There is also a traditional system of village leadership which works cooperatively with the district councils. Although councils have legal powers to collect certain taxes, levies and fees, central government provides over 90% of its total revenue. Statutory council functions include provision of primary education, primary healthcare, tertiary and access roads, and village water supplies.Botswana is a democratic republic with a two tier system of government: central government headed by the president and local government headed by a mayor in towns and a council chairperson in districts. There is no constitutional provision for local government but the main legislative texts are the Local Government (District Councils) Act 1965 and the Townships Act 1965. The Ministry of Local Government (MLG) is charged with providing policy direction and guidance for socioeconomic development at local level. Local government comprises ten district councils, six urban councils and 19 newly formed subdistricts. There is also a traditional system of village leadership which works cooperatively with the district councils. Although councils have legal powers to collect certain taxes, levies and fees, central government provides over 90% of its total revenue. Statutory council functions include provision of primary education, primary healthcare, tertiary and access roads, and village water supplies.

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