The Practice of Social Policy in Botswana

The Copenhagen Declaration describes absolute poverty as “ a condition characterized by severe deprivation of basic human needs, including food, safe drinking water, sanitation facilities, health, shelter, education and information” (ifsw, 2012). This paper seeks to critically appraise the government of Botswana’s approach to poverty, based on the policies and programs that are intended to solve the problem of poverty in Botswana and finally identify the envisioned role of a social worker in poverty issues.

POVERTY IN BOTSWANA

It is not clear in the existing literature when did Botswana start to experience abject poverty, but comparing it to other developed countries mainly western countries; Botswana has always been poor since the beginning of times. (Parsons, 1980) observed that “ by 1939, a child could look forward to malnourished and uneducated childhood; grow up to spend his/her adult energies as a hired labor for low wages; and at old age become impoverished and a burden on his/her children”. I agree that during the years 1939, Botswana had nothing to bring to the table and was not even in a state of taking care of its people. However the situation was not that bad because the people’s lifestyle was almost the same across the whole country. Tswana societies depended much on agriculture: ploughing their lands and rearing of livestock. Even though it looks like Botswana has always been poor, the colonization period by the British added salt to the bruise, “ when the tax system was made compulsory, men migrated to the south African mines to earn wage that they could use to pay tax and remit to their families periodically”. (Mwansa L-K, 1998)

This migration caused women to stay behind looking after children, elderly people, liv...

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ifsw. (2012, february 23). Retrieved october 15, 2013, from www.ifsw.org/policies/poverty-eraducation-and-the-role-for-social-workers/

Ministry of labour and home affairs, N. y. (n.d.). www.mysc.gov.bw/sites/all/themes/peet_mysc/peet_mysc/downloads/others/YES-Booklet.pdf. Retrieved october 14, 2013, from www.mysc.gov.bw: www.mysc.gov.bw

Mwansa L-K, T. L.-H. (1998). The practice of social policy in Botswana. Journal of social developnemt in Africa , 13(2), 55-74.

Parsons, J. (1980). the labour reserve in Historical Perspective: A political economy of the bechuanaland protectorate, Department of political science. Charleston: college of charleston.

Seleka B.T, H. S. (2007). social safety nets in Botswana Aministration, targeting and Sustainability. Gaborone: lightbooks.

www.gov.bw/en/citizens/Topics/citizens-News/POVERTY-ERADICATION-BOTSWANA-FLAGSHIP-PROGRAMME