 | This article needs additional citations for verification. (July 2024) |
| Regions with significant populations | |
|---|---|
| Gaborone, Francistown, Ghanzi, Serowe, Lobatse[citation needed] | |
| Languages | |
| English, Afrikaans, Swedish, Dutch[1] | |
| Religion | |
| Christianity, Judaism[2] | |
| Related ethnic groups | |
| White South Africans, White Namibians, White people in Zambia, White Zimbabweans |
White Africans account for around 3% of the population of Botswana.[3]
Botswana became a British protectorate in 1885 and gained independence as a Commonwealth nation in 1966. White settlers in Botswana, mainly Afrikaners and a small number of English-speakers, began arriving in the 1860s and primarily settled on farms near the South African border. The White population in Botswana never exceeded 3,000 individuals. The English spoken by the local population is influenced by South African dialects.[4]
The present white population in Botswana is significantly smaller compared to its neighboring countries, with a considerable portion being non-permanent residents. This demographic trend is a result of Botswana's unique history as a protectorate rather than a colony. Many white Batswana can trace their ancestry back to colonial immigrants who arrived during British rule, although the majority are now citizens of Botswana rather than British. This demographic is typically affluent, with a significant number owning and operating their own businesses.[5]
History
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European people began to immigrate into what is today the nation of Botswana in the 19th century, starting with the Boer people. The Dorsland Trek in the late 19th and early 20th centuries saw thousands of Boer families migrate from South Africa to present-day Namibia by way of Botswana. Many families stayed, especially in Ghanzi, which is in the Kalahari Desert. White people in Botswana are primarily of Boer/Afrikaner descent, but smaller numbers are also of British/Rhodesian ancestry as well.[6]
Additionally, there is a fairly significant Serbian community in the country, mainly families of immigrants from Yugoslavia who came beginning in the 1950s. There is a Serbian Society in Gaborone, which regularly hosts a variety of cultural events. In 2016 construction began on the first Serbian Orthodox church in Botswana, the St. Nicholas Church.[7]
Notable people
- Lynette Armstrong, Accountant[10]
- Roy Blackbeard, MP, High Commissioner from Botswana to the United Kingdom[11]
- Ross Branch, Motorcycle racer[12]
- Christian de Graaff, MP, Minister of Agriculture[13]
- James G. Haskins, MP, Speaker of the National Assembly of Botswana[14]
- Derek Jones, Mayor of Gaborone[15]
- Ruth Williams Khama, First Lady of Botswana[16]
- Alfred Merriweather, MP, first Speaker of the National Assembly of Botswana[17]
- Samantha Paxinos, Olympic swimmer for Botswana[18]
- James Freeman, Olympic swimmer for Botswana[citation needed]
- Adrian Robinson, Olympic swimmer[citation needed]
- Benjamin Steinberg, MP, first Treasurer of the Botswana Democratic Party[citation needed]
- Hendrik van Zyl, famed trader and politician in Ghanzi[citation needed]
See also
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- White Angolans
- White Namibians
- White people in Zambia
- White people in Zimbabwe
- White South Africans
- Demographics of Botswana
- History of the Jews in Botswana
- Bechuanaland Protectorate – British protectorate in southern Africa
References
- ↑ Morton, Barry; Ramsay, Jeff (13 June 2018). Historical Dictionary of Botswana. Rowman & Littlefield. ISBN 978-1-5381-1133-8.
- ↑ ""We all love this country" - White Batswana in urban Botswana" (PDF).
- ↑ "CIA - The World Factbook -- Botswana". CIA. Retrieved 2013-09-26.
- ↑ Bolton, Kingsley; Kachru, Braj B. (2006). World Englishes: Critical Concepts in Linguistics. Taylor & Francis. ISBN 978-0-415-31508-1.
- ↑ McIntyre, Chris (2014-04-01). Botswana Safari Guide: Okavango Delta, Chobe, Northern Kalahari. Bradt Travel Guides. ISBN 978-1-84162-489-1.
- ↑ The Evolution of Modern Botswana, p. 250 by Louis A. Picard (1985)
- ↑ “Corner-Stone for a new Orthodox Church in Botswana.” Regular Session of the Holy Assembly of Bishops of the Serbian Orthodox Church Begins | Serbian Orthodox Church [Official Web Site], Serbian Orthodox Church, 25 Nov. 2016, www.spc.rs/eng/cornerstone_first_orthodox_church_botswana.In-text Citation
- ↑ "History of Serbs in Botswana" Saint Sava Botswana, Saint Sava Serbian Orthodox Church in Gaborone, Botswana.
- ↑ The History of Southern Africa. The Rosen Publishing Group. 15 January 2011. ISBN 978-1-61530-312-0.
- ↑ Keitebe Kgosikebatho (15 March 2016). "On Top Of Her Game". The Patriot on Sunday. Gaborone. Archived from the original on 19 March 2016. Retrieved 26 June 2020.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link) - ↑ Roy Blackbeard recalled as Botswana's High Commissioner in United Kingdom, Sunday Standard, 3rd May 2018
- ↑ Rider, Ross Branch wants Botswana citizenship, Mmegi, July 11, 2011
- ↑ De Graaf quits politics and lions, Mmegi, May 25, 2016
- ↑ Who's who of Southern Africa, Ken Donaldson (Pty.) Limited, 1987, page 594
- ↑ Moruti Derek Jones (1927-2013), Mmegi, March 8, 2013
- ↑ Lady Ruth Khama, The Guardian, 29 May 2002
- ↑ Botswana: The Road to Independence, Peter Fawcus, Alan Tilbury, Pula Press and the Botswana Society, 2000, page 186
- ↑ "Paxinos ready for Olympics challenge". Mmegi. 25 July 2008. Retrieved 20 October 2012.
Sources
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| European emigration by location |
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