Not all of Africa is desolate as fundraisers and NGOs would prefer to portray the continent. There are some successful African nations. Botswana is one of Africa’s most successful countries. It also sets a trend for the rest of Africa, as a model to emulate. Based on polls, Botswana is continental Africa’s best-run country. ‘Since independence in 1966, it has consistently held unfettered multi-party elections.’ Botswana is a good example of good governance in Africa.

The country is teeming in mineral wealth whose industry is effectively managed. Its population of nearly 2 million is ethnically homogeneous, unlike most African countries that are really nationalized groupings of different tribes. Democracy reigns in Botswana and the biggest proof of the success of the democratic principle is the conduct of peaceful elections.

Propagating democracy in Africa is a tough job. It is a fact that ‘many African rulers still equate peaceful opposition with treachery. Too often, African bigwigs think it best, after a shabby election, such as those in Kenya in late 2007 and in Zimbabwe last year, to let bad losers stay on in paralytic governments of national unity, bringing temporary calm by giving the main miscreants a chance to keep their snouts in the trough.’

Botswana disproves what is largely an African trend: ‘dictatorship and one-party states do better at imposing discipline to spur economic growth.’ Leaders are freely chosen in Botswana. In fact, ‘more Africans these days accept that being able genuinely to choose their leaders is the least bad way to freedom and prosperity.’ Botswana shows how.

Via The Economist