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Britain approves new constitution for Bechuanaland. Executive Council, Legislative Council and African Council are established. Bechuanaland People's Party (BPP) is established.
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It was found that Khama was eminently fit to rule ‘but for his unfortunate marriage’.The British government exiled Khama from his own land in 1951. There were calls for the resignation of the minister responsible, Lord Salisbury. In Bechuanaland, the Bamangwato refused to select a new king. Khama and his wife were only allowed to return to Bechuanaland in 1956 as private citizens. He renounced the throne and became a businessman. In 1961, however, he founded the Bechuanaland Democratic Party.
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In 1961 a constitution was passed, replaced by another constitution in 1965, which foresaw Home Rule.
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The location of the original capitol was in Mafikeng which is actually located in South Africa. They decided that they should move the capitol in 1965 to a city located in the South East part of Botswana.
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BDP wins legislative elections, first to be held under universal adult suffrage. Seretse Khama becomes prime minister.
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Botswana gained independence from Britain on 30 September 1966 under the leadership of Seretse Khama.
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Khama was elected president directly after gaining its independence by the National Assembly in 1966 and then reelected for two additional terms, until he passed away in 1980.
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Khama’s royal Bamangwato blood legitimised him, and the symbolism of his marriage, which was a defiance of South African apartheid. Symbolism and rhetoric aside, the delicate balancing could tilt in South Africa’s favor. Even when vast mineral deposits were discovered and Botswana had some economic leverage of its own, the most practical way of crash developing a mining industry was to host South African corporations such as De Beers, which became a key factor when diamonds were found in 1967
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Presidency was limited to two five-year terms. Also the voting age was lowered from 21 to 18.
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More than 60,000 are made homeless during one of the most devastation floods Botswana ever had
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In March of 2008 Botswana launched its own diamond trading company known as the Diamond Trading Company Botswana (DTCB). De Beers and the government set up the DTCB as a joint venture.
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The diamond came from Botswana, which does not stand to profit from the discovery. Though Botswana does have a partnership with the largest diamond miner in the country, De Beers, critics argue that De Beers does not invest enough of its massive profits into community development. Such complaints have become more pointed since the downturn in the global market for diamonds. Botswana invests much of its diamond profits, into infrastructure, HIV/AIDS treatment, and other public services.
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the World Bank approved a $145.5 million loan to improve water availability in areas of Botswana that are most vulnerable to chronic drought. The money will be used to upgrade existing water systems, improve wastewater treatment, and protect groundwater resources. The assistance came in response to a severe drought that began in 2015.
