Botswana became a member of the Commonwealth in 1966 soon after becoming a Republic but did not appear at a Commonwealth Games until 1974 in Christchurch, New Zealand. Botswana has appeared at all Commonwealth Games since 1974 missing only the 1978 Games held in Edmonton, Canada.

What was Botswana called before 1966?

Before its independence in 1966, Botswana was a British protectorate known as Bechuanaland. It was also one of the poorest and least-developed states in the world. The country is named after its dominant ethnic group, the Tswana (“Bechuana” in older variant orthography).

What are the 7 Commonwealth countries?

The founding Commonwealth members were Australia, Canada, India, New Zealand, Pakistan, South Africa, Sri Lanka and the United Kingdom, who formed a "free association" of independent countries.

When did South Africa leave the Commonwealth?

As a result, South Africa's membership application was withdrawn, meaning that upon its becoming a republic on 31 May 1961, the country's Commonwealth membership simply lapsed.

Did Botswana used to be part of South Africa?

The northern territory remained under direct administration as the Bechuanaland Protectorate and is today's Botswana, while the southern territory became British Bechuanaland which ten years later became part of the Cape Colony and is now part of the northwest province of South Africa; the majority of Setswana-speaking ...

The Commonwealth of Nations

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Why did the British colonized Botswana?

The British colonised the land of the Batswana in 1885 as a way of blocking possible alliance between the Boers in the Transvaal and the Germans in South West Africa (Namibia). The British called the territory Bechuanaland Protectorate.

Who owned Botswana?

After 80 years as a British protectorate, Bechuanaland attained self-government in 1965, becoming the independent Republic of Botswana on September 30, 1966, and maintaining a position of stability and harmony ever since.

Why did South Africa rejoin the Commonwealth?

On 25 October 1993, South Africa was invited to rejoin the Commonwealth of Nations with effect from January 1994. The move came after prolonged promising talks on constitutional reform between the government, African National Congress(ANC) and other key liberation movements.

What was South Africa called before?

The name "South Africa" is derived from the country's geographic location at the southern tip of Africa. Upon formation, the country was named the Union of South Africa in English and Unie van Zuid-Afrika in Dutch, reflecting its origin from the unification of four formerly separate British colonies.

Is South Africa in the Commonwealth?

South Africa was re-admitted to the Commonwealth in 1994, following its first multiracial elections that year. The transfer of sovereignty over Hong Kong in 1997 ended the territory's status as a part of the Commonwealth through the United Kingdom.

How many countries are still under British rule?

There remain, however, 14 global territories which remain under the jurisdiction and sovereignty of the United Kingdom. Many of the former territories of the British Empire are members of the Commonwealth of Nations.

What countries does Queen Elizabeth rule?

Queen Elizabeth II is also the Sovereign of 15 countries in the Commonwealth of Nations: Antigua and Barbuda, Australia, the Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Canada, Grenada, Jamaica, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, St. Kitts and Nevis, St. Lucia, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, the Solomon Islands, and Tuvalu.

Is Botswana richer than South Africa?

Botswana vs South Africa: Economic Indicators Comparison

South Africa with a GDP of $368.3B ranked the 35th largest economy in the world, while Botswana ranked 117th with $18.6B. By GDP 5-years average growth and GDP per capita, South Africa and Botswana ranked 151st vs 96th and 95th vs 84th, respectively.

What was Namibia before?

Before its independence in 1990, the area was known first as German South-West Africa (Deutsch-Südwestafrika), then as South-West Africa, reflecting the colonial occupation by the Germans and the South Africans.

Who ruled Botswana for nearly 80 years?

Sir Seretse Khama, (born July 1, 1921, Serowe, Bechuanaland [now Botswana]—died July 13, 1980, Gaborone, Botswana), first president of Botswana (1966–80), after the former Bechuanaland protectorate gained independence from Great Britain.

When did Zulus arrive in South Africa?

The word Zulu means "Sky" and according to oral history, Zulu was the name of the ancestor who founded the Zulu royal line in about 1670. Today it is estimated that there are more than 45 million South Africans, and the Zulu people make up about approximately 22% of this number.

What is Africa's original name?

In Kemetic History of Afrika, Dr cheikh Anah Diop writes, “The ancient name of Africa was Alkebulan. Alkebu-lan “mother of mankind” or “garden of Eden”.” Alkebulan is the oldest and the only word of indigenous origin. It was used by the Moors, Nubians, Numidians, Khart-Haddans (Carthagenians), and Ethiopians.

Where do black South African come from?

Some people in South Africa have belonged to ethnic groups present in the area for centuries or even millennia; others trace their genealogy to Holland and England and other parts of Europe, while others arrived from Southeast Asia, the majority as slaves, and still others from South Asia, more than a century ago.

Was South Africa kicked out of the Commonwealth?

On 5 October 1960 a referendum of White voters was held to decide whether South Africa should become a republic. The result showed that 52% were in favour of a republic. In accordance with his promise that the republic would remain within the British Commonwealth, Dr H.F.

Who assassinated Hendrik Verwoerd?

South African Prime Minister Hendrik Verwoerd is stabbed to death by a messenger during a parliamentary meeting in Cape Town. The assailant, Demetrio Tsafendas, was a Mozambique immigrant of mixed racial descent—part Greek and part Swazi.

Who was the first elected black president of South Africa?

The African National Congress won a 63% share of the vote at the election, and Mandela, as leader of the ANC, was inaugurated on 10 May 1994 as the country's first Black President, with the National Party's F.W. de Klerk as his first deputy and Thabo Mbeki as the second in the Government of National Unity.

What did Bechuanaland become?

The Bechuanaland Protectorate (/ˌbɛtʃuˈɑːnəlænd/) was a protectorate established on 31 March 1885, by the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland in Southern Africa. It became the Republic of Botswana on 30 September 1966.

What was Botswana former name?

Q: What was Botswana called before it became independent in 1966? A: Formerly a British protectorate, it was known as Bechuanaland.