Botswana

The Republic of Botswana (Lefatshe la Botswana) is a landlocked nation in Southern Africa. Formerly the British protectorate of Bechuanaland, Botswana adopted its new name after becoming independent on September 30, 1966. It is bordered by South Africa to the south, Namibia to the west, Zambia to the north, and Zimbabwe to the northeast. The economy, closely tied to South Africa's, is predominated by cattle raising and mining, especially diamonds. The country is named after its largest ethnic group, the Tswana.

Botswana in literature

Botswana forms the setting for a series of popular mystery novels by Alexander McCall Smith. Their protagonist, Precious Ramotswe, lives in Gaborone. The first novel in the series, The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency appeared in 1998 in the UK (and 2001 in US). The light-hearted books are appreciated for their human interest and local colour.

Related Topics:
Alexander McCall Smith - The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency

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A more literary choice would be the books of Bessie Head, a writer who fled the apartheid regime in South Africa to live and write about Botswana.

Related Topics:
Literary - Bessie Head

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