Gaborone Hotel 'war' a symbol of national economic unease :: Mmegi Online

When hawkers pulled down the fence at Gaborone Hotel this week, the act was read by some as a symbolic victory for Batswana who increasingly feel excluded from their own economy by rich and powerful outsiders. Staff Writer, MBONGENI MGUNI notes that the Coronavirus is increasing already simmering economic tensions

If the economy is a cake, many would argue that indigenous Batswana have not been receiving their fair share. Historically, the country’s economic structure has leaned towards capitalism on one end, as espoused by free market policies and socialism on the other, as seen in policies that seek to distribute wealth at national level more equitably, as well as social safety nets programmes to protect the vulnerable.

Analysts say, in the absence of specific intervening policies, the result has been the entry and growth of moguls on the one hand and higher numbers of indigenous citizens supported by social safety nets. Botswana has one of the world’s highest inequalities and the anomaly is the focus of the current and upcoming National Development Programmes.

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