An African Success Story
[Note: I wrote this post about two weeks ago now, but figure it goes best here as a 'Reflections On Botswana' post. I'm in Harare, Zimbabwe now, haven't had access to internet for a bit, but will be updating posts on what I've been up to the last week]
Most Northerners in Botswana, especially travelers, have probably encountered the above 4 words as a description of this nation. Botswana is considered an example of exceptional development, where wealth has been relatively well-distributed and political stability has been assured. Beyond the obvious problems implicit in this statement and foreign definitions of African success, there are many contradictions that this view of Botswana brings to light.
I’ve described Gaborone in a previous post as a ‘suburb without a city’ and I have observed many contradictions in its development that lead to fragmentation of community here and a general parochial life-style that I haven’t always enjoyed. [Note: this foreigner is defining development and community, among other terms, here, but understand that these are observations, not judgments, and I am by no means using these observations to guide regional economic policy through ignorance of the glaring problems within this “success story,” which is exactly what Northern economic and development institutions are doing.] Some other oxy-moronical descriptions I’ve come up with for the way Gabs functions: Punctuality with out Urgency; Industry with out Efficiency; Discipline with out Productivity. These are generalizations based on my experience working and living here, and are an attempt to describe the frustrations that someone coming from the U.S. (probably other nations too) would experience. In the same vein: there is little in the way of a middle-class, as an American would recognize it at least, in Gabs. The local manufacturing sector is weak, family business is practically non-existent, and nearly all consumer goods are imported. Either that or the consumers are exported, as the weekend trip to South Africa for shopping, leisure, and even automobile-service is common-place for many Batswana.
The above paragraph is not meant to degrade a great nation. Given these observations, I won’t deny that Botswana is doing well; that the people are relatively content; that the political economy here does appear to be, in fact, stable. However, these observed contradictions aren’t directed at Botswana, necessarily, but at ‘An African Success Story.’ Having heard the country described in this light, I expected to see a growing, if not flourishing middle class; self-sustaining local industry; and entrepreneurship or at least the opportunity for it. These are the economic indicators that I would think would impress the ‘development crew’ that is privileged to define African success stories. I see none of this.
There’s no denying that the majority of Botswana’s wealth is mined from below in the form of diamonds, gold, and other minerals. After a month here, I haven’t seen evidence of any other promising economic sectors – even tourist dollars seem to be very localized and aren’t bringing that much wealth to the average Motswana, though there’s no denying tourism hasn’t generated significant government income. Again though, Botswana is still successful. The secret to its success, however, can not be found in the formula recommended by the IMF and World Bank where privatization, a diversified economy, and specific currency regulations are encouraged. Again, Botswana has almost none of this. However, the massive wealth generated from the diamonds has actually been distributed through relatively socialist means, as the government guarantees free health care; free education, even through the University level; and has done an admirable job of delivering electricity, water, and other services to remote areas.
Many people here, Batswana and foreigners, argue that it is this governmental paternalism that results in the contradictions and inefficiencies I’ve observed in the ‘suburb without a city.’ I’m not sure I agree with this, but to elaborate: every foreigner I’ve spoken with here (most Kenyans, Zimbabweans, and Indians – rarely Americans/Europeans) has observed the inefficiencies in the function of everything from a fast food joint to transport infrastructure to government operations in Botswana. A Motswana friend of mine here, who studied in the US, put it best on one of my first nights here: “Batswana lack any sense of urgency.” I’ve since mentioned this to others who are baffled by the ways in which Gabs functions and they have all responded with strong agreement, it really is an excellent description. Like I said, people here are punctual and disciplined and are working long-hours, but what happens - or more specifically, what doesn’t happen - in the course of those hours, is astonishing. Thus, a common claim is that Batswana have been spoiled by their diamond-rich government’s vast social services and aren’t accustomed to independent production.
This does make some sense, but is far too simplistic. Further, it raises the question: what should the government do then, not provide for its people? Again, this takes me back to the Northern definition of an African success story. Botswana has done all it could to succeed and they have done almost nothing that traditional economic development institutions recommend. Just this month they were criticized by the IMF for their currency valuations over the last year, and they basically told the hegemonic institution to shove it (in public at least).
So, despite all the mineral wealth and superb government services, Botswana is just as likely to be a ‘success story gone wrong,’ due to an economy that I can’t see surviving a significant drop in global mineral and jewel prices. (By the way, people here are very weary of the potential of synthetic diamonds or liberal Northerners choosing more socially-conscious jewels for their wedding rings. Oh, and there’s a new pop-song, Diamonds Are Forever (“For evah, evah?” – Maybe this isn’t new or even popular in the states? – Asante just asked if I have any ‘Pop’ on my ipod: “Um, I’ve got Outkast.”) that plays often on radio here, even as the stock interlude/background music on one station, with no hint of irony.) In fact, if there’s any example Botswana should be used as, its as a prototype for just how hard it is to achieve a stable political economy in a region that has been, and is being, stripped of all of its valuables (in the broadest sense).
Back to the lack of urgency (was that a tangent or is this though?). A much larger factor than, though to some degree related to, paternalism, in breeding inefficiency and lack of personal responsibility (all of which I have observed in the Gaboronian life-style), is the mass socio-geographic transformation of Botswana that is taking place right now. A youthful generation of Batswana, newly minted in the privileged class from their parents success in rural mining towns, is moving into Gaborone. This is one of the fastest growing cities in Africa and the aforementioned group along with regional immigrants are the two demographics responsible for this (I address immigration issues in other posts). Prior to the diamond wind-fall, the families whose children are moving to Gabs were isolationist and far from cosmopolitan. I think this factor is what’s at work when foreigners notice how hard it is to communicate their ideas and conceptions of professionalism and industry to Batswana and how skeptical the people are of foreign conceptions compared to other people in Southern Africa.
I hope its clear that, although this American found functioning in Gaborone to be a cultural challenge, I am by no means trying to degrade its people or claim that Botswana is not successful. What I want to stress is how it is successful actually, and show that these means are in direct contradiction of what is implied by the term ‘African Success Story,’ and to further problematize that term itself. Meanwhile, as global diamond prices fall and fuel prices rise, I see gaping potential pit-falls ahead for Botswana. However, there does seem to be a general awareness here of the dangers of a one-horse-pony (I’ve never written that term…not even sure if it’s a meaningful cliché after having done so…) economy. The government is desperately trying to remedy this, but is not making much of an impact yet. The key to the future success of Gaborone is the youth who are part of the demographic shift I describe above. Despite all the barriers to communities, the arts, entrepreneurs, and general well-being provided by the ‘suburb without a city,’ I think that this generation of new Batswana are gaining the sense of urgency they need in overcoming these dangers (that’s the one-horse variety).
Most Northerners in Botswana, especially travelers, have probably encountered the above 4 words as a description of this nation. Botswana is considered an example of exceptional development, where wealth has been relatively well-distributed and political stability has been assured. Beyond the obvious problems implicit in this statement and foreign definitions of African success, there are many contradictions that this view of Botswana brings to light.
I’ve described Gaborone in a previous post as a ‘suburb without a city’ and I have observed many contradictions in its development that lead to fragmentation of community here and a general parochial life-style that I haven’t always enjoyed. [Note: this foreigner is defining development and community, among other terms, here, but understand that these are observations, not judgments, and I am by no means using these observations to guide regional economic policy through ignorance of the glaring problems within this “success story,” which is exactly what Northern economic and development institutions are doing.] Some other oxy-moronical descriptions I’ve come up with for the way Gabs functions: Punctuality with out Urgency; Industry with out Efficiency; Discipline with out Productivity. These are generalizations based on my experience working and living here, and are an attempt to describe the frustrations that someone coming from the U.S. (probably other nations too) would experience. In the same vein: there is little in the way of a middle-class, as an American would recognize it at least, in Gabs. The local manufacturing sector is weak, family business is practically non-existent, and nearly all consumer goods are imported. Either that or the consumers are exported, as the weekend trip to South Africa for shopping, leisure, and even automobile-service is common-place for many Batswana.
The above paragraph is not meant to degrade a great nation. Given these observations, I won’t deny that Botswana is doing well; that the people are relatively content; that the political economy here does appear to be, in fact, stable. However, these observed contradictions aren’t directed at Botswana, necessarily, but at ‘An African Success Story.’ Having heard the country described in this light, I expected to see a growing, if not flourishing middle class; self-sustaining local industry; and entrepreneurship or at least the opportunity for it. These are the economic indicators that I would think would impress the ‘development crew’ that is privileged to define African success stories. I see none of this.
There’s no denying that the majority of Botswana’s wealth is mined from below in the form of diamonds, gold, and other minerals. After a month here, I haven’t seen evidence of any other promising economic sectors – even tourist dollars seem to be very localized and aren’t bringing that much wealth to the average Motswana, though there’s no denying tourism hasn’t generated significant government income. Again though, Botswana is still successful. The secret to its success, however, can not be found in the formula recommended by the IMF and World Bank where privatization, a diversified economy, and specific currency regulations are encouraged. Again, Botswana has almost none of this. However, the massive wealth generated from the diamonds has actually been distributed through relatively socialist means, as the government guarantees free health care; free education, even through the University level; and has done an admirable job of delivering electricity, water, and other services to remote areas.
Many people here, Batswana and foreigners, argue that it is this governmental paternalism that results in the contradictions and inefficiencies I’ve observed in the ‘suburb without a city.’ I’m not sure I agree with this, but to elaborate: every foreigner I’ve spoken with here (most Kenyans, Zimbabweans, and Indians – rarely Americans/Europeans) has observed the inefficiencies in the function of everything from a fast food joint to transport infrastructure to government operations in Botswana. A Motswana friend of mine here, who studied in the US, put it best on one of my first nights here: “Batswana lack any sense of urgency.” I’ve since mentioned this to others who are baffled by the ways in which Gabs functions and they have all responded with strong agreement, it really is an excellent description. Like I said, people here are punctual and disciplined and are working long-hours, but what happens - or more specifically, what doesn’t happen - in the course of those hours, is astonishing. Thus, a common claim is that Batswana have been spoiled by their diamond-rich government’s vast social services and aren’t accustomed to independent production.
This does make some sense, but is far too simplistic. Further, it raises the question: what should the government do then, not provide for its people? Again, this takes me back to the Northern definition of an African success story. Botswana has done all it could to succeed and they have done almost nothing that traditional economic development institutions recommend. Just this month they were criticized by the IMF for their currency valuations over the last year, and they basically told the hegemonic institution to shove it (in public at least).
So, despite all the mineral wealth and superb government services, Botswana is just as likely to be a ‘success story gone wrong,’ due to an economy that I can’t see surviving a significant drop in global mineral and jewel prices. (By the way, people here are very weary of the potential of synthetic diamonds or liberal Northerners choosing more socially-conscious jewels for their wedding rings. Oh, and there’s a new pop-song, Diamonds Are Forever (“For evah, evah?” – Maybe this isn’t new or even popular in the states? – Asante just asked if I have any ‘Pop’ on my ipod: “Um, I’ve got Outkast.”) that plays often on radio here, even as the stock interlude/background music on one station, with no hint of irony.) In fact, if there’s any example Botswana should be used as, its as a prototype for just how hard it is to achieve a stable political economy in a region that has been, and is being, stripped of all of its valuables (in the broadest sense).
Back to the lack of urgency (was that a tangent or is this though?). A much larger factor than, though to some degree related to, paternalism, in breeding inefficiency and lack of personal responsibility (all of which I have observed in the Gaboronian life-style), is the mass socio-geographic transformation of Botswana that is taking place right now. A youthful generation of Batswana, newly minted in the privileged class from their parents success in rural mining towns, is moving into Gaborone. This is one of the fastest growing cities in Africa and the aforementioned group along with regional immigrants are the two demographics responsible for this (I address immigration issues in other posts). Prior to the diamond wind-fall, the families whose children are moving to Gabs were isolationist and far from cosmopolitan. I think this factor is what’s at work when foreigners notice how hard it is to communicate their ideas and conceptions of professionalism and industry to Batswana and how skeptical the people are of foreign conceptions compared to other people in Southern Africa.
I hope its clear that, although this American found functioning in Gaborone to be a cultural challenge, I am by no means trying to degrade its people or claim that Botswana is not successful. What I want to stress is how it is successful actually, and show that these means are in direct contradiction of what is implied by the term ‘African Success Story,’ and to further problematize that term itself. Meanwhile, as global diamond prices fall and fuel prices rise, I see gaping potential pit-falls ahead for Botswana. However, there does seem to be a general awareness here of the dangers of a one-horse-pony (I’ve never written that term…not even sure if it’s a meaningful cliché after having done so…) economy. The government is desperately trying to remedy this, but is not making much of an impact yet. The key to the future success of Gaborone is the youth who are part of the demographic shift I describe above. Despite all the barriers to communities, the arts, entrepreneurs, and general well-being provided by the ‘suburb without a city,’ I think that this generation of new Batswana are gaining the sense of urgency they need in overcoming these dangers (that’s the one-horse variety).
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