Since its independence in 1966, Botswana is considered one of the most stable democracies in the whole of Africa. With one of the fastest growing economies in the world, Botswana holds a vast array of opportunities for expatriates hoping to start a new life in the country.

Education in Botswana

After attaining independence, the country received a continual cash injection of government capital from diamond revenue, which saw Botswana’s education conditions radically improved. While secondary education is not free, nor compulsory, round about half of school age children complete twelve years of schooling, culminating in the well-recognised Botswana General Certificate of Education, or BGCSE.

Should students choose to further their studies in the country, they could make use of the University of Botswana and the Botswana International University of Science and Technology. This is of particular interest for expats moving to the country with children, as they will find an adequate selection of international schools offering both primary and higher education, some with boarding options. The majority of international schools are in the capital, Gaborone, and there are some good job opportunities for expats within the education sector, too.

Transportation in Botswana

Following Botswana’s independence, the country built up its infrastructure with special emphasis on a wide-ranging road network. Currently, there are over 6,000 kilometres of paved roads; most of which were built between 1966 and 1996. Getting around by car is easy and useful, as the infrastructure is in place connecting all the district capitals together. The Trans-Kalahari Highway also connects Botswana with Walvis in Namibia and is an all-weather road.

Despite being a vehicle-friendly country, it should be noted that fuelling stations are rare when travelling outside major towns, so planning your journey or taking additional fuel is a wise precaution. Another thing to note on longer journeys is the tire pressure to avoid blowouts on heated tarmac. A more unusual potential hazard is the wildlife of Botswana. Goats, cows, dogs and even some more exotic animals have been known to wander in the roads, particularly at night, so best turn up the brightness and drive with care. Sticking to the speed limit ought to mitigate most of the risk, which varies from 120km/h outside the city limits, to 30km/h when driving in built up areas, and everything in between.

Safety and Security in Botswana

Living in Botswana grants expats the additional positive of low crime rate relative to other African countries. Naturally, it is impossible to totally eliminate theft and petty crime, so standard precautions such as locking your doors and keeping electronics and phones in sight is advisable when going about your daily life. If worst comes to worst, residents may contact the emergency services - 999 for police, 998 for fire services and 997 for medical emergencies.

In reality, most dangers in Botswana come from nature itself. A prime example would be mosquitoes and contaminated water sources, but there are simple measures one could take against such hazards. As with most countries, it’s important for those prospective expats to familiarize themselves with the country’s landscape and plan accordingly. One such precaution would be for expats to attain full vaccination for potential diseases, which include: Hepatitis A, typhoid, hepatitis B, malaria, rabies and yellow fever.

With those minor annoyances out of the way, expats will have no trouble settling into the country, as most citizens and residence of Botswana speak fluent English, and have no problem communicating with tourists and visitors alike.

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