SADC is a southern African regional development bloc that envisions “a common future, within a regional community that will ensure economic well-being, improvement of the standards of living and quality of life, freedom and social justice; peace and security for the peoples of Southern Africa.” This seminar examines contemporary Botswana and South Africa in the context of the above SADC mission.
In spite of the fact that Botswana and South Africa have unique histories, today they stand on par as far as good governance, human rights, rule of law, and democracy is concerned. Participants will begin to have an understanding and appreciation of how democracy and good governance has led to the establishment of a socio-political and economic environment that is remarkably stable and encourages strict adherence to non-violent political negotiations and engagements.
Since independence, the Botswana government has been recognized for its successful democracy and thoughtful allocation of resources from its mineral wealth and mining operations. Endowed with amazing biodiversity and vast natural resources, Botswana’s significant economic growth and development has been widely hailed. In recent years, however, this growth has slowed and the country is coping with the repercussions of having a population of which approximately one-quarter is infected with HIV. Go beyond Botswana's credo of Democracy, Development, Self-reliance and Unity to understand how Botswana is attempting to balance tradition and modernity; economic growth with preservation of natural resources; and development amid the HIV/AIDS pandemic.
In South Africa, after decades of apartheid policies and state-sponsored oppression and exclusion, Nelson Mandela identified and pursued a vision of a democratic and pluralistic South African society. The change was obvious just by turning on a TV and listening to programming in the Xhosa language or watching black and white music video jockeys side-by-side in the studio. Reflecting and building a multicultural, multiracial society, especially one in which individual communities developed along imposed and radically different trajectories, requires more than superficial examples of inclusion and cooperation and this seminar will enable participants to have a better appreciation of the Rainbow Nation.
This 11-day seminar begins in Gaborone, Botswana and ends in Johannesburg, South Africa, and includes a one-way flight between Gaborone and Johannesburg. Participants will spend six days in Botswana and four days in South Africa.
Interested in learning
more about the
organizations you will
visit on the seminar?
With so many topics to
cover within the broad
theme, the topic of human
rights is often one participants wish to have a comprehensive handle on before attending the seminar. Explore some of the themes of this seminar ahead of time by visiting the websites of two of our site visit
"Human rights, not human wrongs”, Ditshwanelo Centre for Human Rights
“Democracy, Equality, Reconciliation, Diversity” The Apartheid Museum
