1980s in Botswana

The following lists events that happened during the 1980s in Botswana.

Incumbents

• President:
  • Seretse Khama (1966–1980)
  • Quett Masire (1980–1998)
• Vice President
  • Quett Masire (1966–1980)
  • Lenyeletse Seretse (1980–1983)
  • Peter Mmusi (1983–1992)

Events

1980

• Botswana co-founds the Southern African Development Coordination Conference.
• 13 July – President Seretse Khama dies. He is succeeded by Quett Masire.^: 41

1981

• A drought in Southern Africa begins, destroying approximately 75% of crops in Botswana.^: 24 It will continue until 1987.^: 68

1982

• The Financial Assistance Policy is implemented to provide grants for businesses.^: 98
• Botswana National Museum hosts Culture & Resistance Conference, 5–9 July 1982.
• February – The Jwaneng diamond mine is established.^: xxxv
• June – The Botswana Progressive Union is founded.^: xxxv
• September – The University of Botswana is founded.^: xxxv

1983

• 3 January – Vice President Lenyeletse Seretse dies. Peter Mmusi becomes vice president.^: xxxv
• A labour law is passed limiting the right to unionise.^: 79

1984

• The Sir Seretse Khama International Airport opens.^: xxxvi
• May – The Public Service Act allows civil servants to operate in the private sector.^: xxxvi
• 8 September – The 1984 Botswana general election is held. The Botswana Democratic Party maintains its majority.^: xxxvi

1985

• 1985 – HIV is first identified in Botswana, beginning the nation's HIV epidemic.^: xxxvi
• 14 June – South African soldiers invade Botswana and attack the headquarters of a South African anti-apartheid group in Gabarone.^: 20 12 people are killed, and the action is condemned in a resolution by the United Nations.

1986

• 17 April – Botswana's first women's rights group, Emang Basadi, is established.^: xxxvi

1987

• A referendum is held to form a Supervisor of Elections. It passes with 78.1% of the vote.
• The university is closed for several months in response to student protests against police misconduct.^: 79
• May – Morupule Electric Power Station is established.^: xxxvi
• 1 October – Botswana Railways is established.^: xxxvi
• November – The constitution is amended so that only citizens of Botswana can serve as president.^: xxxvi

1988

1989

• Free secondary education is made available in Botswana.^: 82
• 7 October – The 1989 Botswana general election is held. The Botswana Democratic Party maintains its majority.^: xxxvi

Deaths

• 1980
  • 13 July – Seretse Khama, President of Botswana
• 1982
  • Benjamin Thema, Minister of Education
  • 16 September – Keoagetse Radipotsane, Batswana football player
• 1983
  • 3 January – Lenyeletse Seretse, vice-president of Botswana
• 1986
  • Archelaus Tsoebebe, Minister of Labour and Social Services
  • 17 April – Bessie Head, writer

See also

• History of Botswana
• List of Botswana-related topics
• Outline of Botswana
• Timeline of Botswana

References