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White people in Botswana

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White people in Botswana
Regions with significant populations
Gaborone, Francistown, Ghanzi, Serowe, Lobatse[citation needed]
Languages
Afrikaans, English, Greek, Serbian[citation needed]
Related ethnic groups
White people in Zambia, White people in Zimbabwe, White South Africans, White Namibians[citation needed]

White Africans account for around 3% of the population of Botswana.[1]

Botswana became a British protectorate in 1885 and gained independence as a Commonwealth nation in 1966. White settlers in Botswana, mainly Afrikaners and a small number of English-speakers, began arriving in the 1860s and primarily settled on farms near the South African border. The White population in Botswana never exceeded 3,000 individuals. The English spoken by the local population is influenced by South African dialects.[2]

The present white population in Botswana is significantly smaller compared to its neighboring countries, with a considerable portion being non-permanent residents. This demographic trend is a result of Botswana's unique history as a protectorate rather than a colony. Many white Batswana can trace their ancestry back to colonial immigrants who arrived during British rule, although the majority are now citizens of Botswana rather than British. This demographic is typically affluent, with a significant number owning and operating their own businesses.[3]

History

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European people began to immigrate into what is today the nation of Botswana in the 19th century, starting with the Boer people. The Dorsland Trek in the late 19th and early 20th centuries saw thousands of Boer families migrate from South Africa to present-day Namibia by way of Botswana. Many families stayed, especially in Ghanzi, which is in the Kalahari Desert. White people in Botswana are primarily of Boer/Afrikaner descent, but smaller numbers are also of British/Rhodesian ancestry as well.[4]

Additionally, there is a fairly significant Serbian community in the country, mainly families of immigrants from Yugoslavia who came beginning in the 1950s. There is a Serbian Society in Gaborone, which regularly hosts a variety of cultural events. In 2016 construction began on the first Serbian Orthodox church in Botswana, the St. Nicholas Church.[5]

St. Sava Serbian Orthodox Church operates in Gaborone.[6]

Notable people

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See also

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References

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  1. ^ "CIA - The World Factbook -- Botswana". CIA. Retrieved 2013-09-26.
  2. ^ Bolton, Kingsley; Kachru, Braj B. (2006). World Englishes: Critical Concepts in Linguistics. Taylor & Francis. ISBN 978-0-415-31508-1.
  3. ^ McIntyre, Chris (2014-04-01). Botswana Safari Guide: Okavango Delta, Chobe, Northern Kalahari. Bradt Travel Guides. ISBN 978-1-84162-489-1.
  4. ^ The Evolution of Modern Botswana, p. 250 by Louis A. Picard (1985)
  5. ^ “Corner-Stone for a new Orthodox Church in Botswana.” Regular Session of the Holy Assembly of Bishops of the Serbian Orthodox Church Begins | Serbian Orthodox Church [Official Web Site], Serbian Orthodox Church, 25 Nov. 2016, www.spc.rs/eng/cornerstone_first_orthodox_church_botswana.In-text Citation
  6. ^ "History of Serbs in Botswana" Saint Sava Botswana, Saint Sava Serbian Orthodox Church in Gaborone, Botswana.

Sources

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