In October 2024, the people of Botswana watched as the Umbrella for Democratic Change (UDC) swept the Botswana Democratic Party (BDP) from power. The UDC thus became the first ever opposition political party to win general elections with its leader, Harvard educated human rights lawyer Duma Gideon Boko becoming President. Having ruled the Botswana for 58 years since independence in 1966 few foresaw the extent of the BDP's loss as the partyonly managed to secure four seats out of a possible 61. Under successive BDP administrations, Botswana had over the decades raised incomes and reduced poverty while expanding provision of electricity, water, education, and health services to almost all of its people. As a result the country had come to be seen as a model African democracy that owned its natural resources and plowed the profits back into the nation's development. Despite these successes, high rates of unemployment and underemployment coupled with a failure to diversify its economy led to growing discontent.
Historical Dictionary of Botswana, Sixth Edition contains a chronology, an introduction, appendixes, an extensive bibliography, and more than 700 cross-referenced entries on important personalities and aspects of the country's politics, economy, foreign relations, religion, and culture. This book is an excellent resource for students, researchers, and anyone wanting to know more about Botswana.