1970s in Botswana

The following lists events that happened during the 1970s in Botswana.

Incumbents President: Seretse Khama (1966–1980) Vice President: Quett Masire (1966–1980)

Events 1970 The Botswana Development Corporation is established. Botswana establishes diplomatic relations with the Soviet Union. January – The power to allocate tribal land is transferred from the kgosis to independent land boards under the Tribal Land Act. 6 March – Botswana establishes diplomatic relations with Czechoslovakia. July – The Ministry of Finance and Development Planning is established. September – President Seretse goes to Lusaka to speak at the Non-Aligned Movement summit.

1971 1 July – The Orapa diamond mine is established. 1 September – Simon Hirshfeldt becomes the first Motswana police commissioner.

1972

March – Botswana becomes financially independent from the United Kingdom.

1973

15 January – Botswana sends its first citizen to train in the diamond industry in the United Kingdom. 15 January – The Agricultural Resources (Conservation) Act is passed.

1974 The Selebi-Phikwe mine opens. The Tribal Grazing Lands Policy is established. January – The Botswana Agricultural Market Board is established. March – Botswana ends its recognition of the Republic of China, instead recognizing the People's Republic of China. 26 October – The 1974 Botswana general election is held. The Botswana Democratic Party maintains its majority.

1975

Botswana increases its governmental stake in Debswana to 50%.

1976 Kimberlite diamonds are discovered in Jwaneng. July – Student protests in South Africa cause refugees to flee to Botswana. 26 July – President Khama visits China. 23 August – The Bank of Botswana is established. The Botswana pula replaces the South African rand as Botswana's official currency.

1977 January – The United Nations passes a resolution demanding that Rhodesian forces end their hostilities along the Botswana–Rhodesia border. April – The pula is valued at 5% above the rand. 15 April – The Botswana Defence Force is established. 19 April – Mompati Merafhe and Ian Khama are appointed commander and deputy commander of the Botswana Defence Force, respectively. October – Four people are arrested as they travel through Botswana to serve in the military in Rhodesia. 4 October - A referendum on electoral reform was held.

1978

Botswana Football Association is affiliated with FIFA (international governing body of association football). Medu Art Ensemble relocates to Gaborone, Botswana. 27 February – A skirmish at Leshoma sees fifteen soldiers of the Botswana Defence Force killed by Rhodesian soldiers. 29 March – Three suspected mercenaries from Rhodesia are killed in the Tuli Block. 11 September – The University of Botswana closes amid riots.

1979 13 April – The Gaborone–Francistown Highway is completed. 13 April – 14 members of the Zimbabwe African People's Union are kidnapped in Francistown by Rhodesian soldiers. July – Botswana co-founds the Southern African Development Coordination Conference. July – Queen Elizabeth II visits Gaborone and gives President Khama his second knighthood. 20 October – The 1979 Botswana general election is held. The Botswana Democratic Party maintains its majority.

Births

1973 2 March – Patrick Lebekwe, Botswana footballer 1976 23 April – Phazha Butale, Botswana footballer 1977 28 July – Anthony Matengu, Botswana footballer 1978 23 August – Ditaola Ditaola, Botswana footballer 19 September – Kabelo Kgosiang, Botswana footballer 14 November – Odirile Gaolebale, retired Botswanan footballer 29 December – Agisanyang Mosimanegape, Botswana former footballer

Deaths

1970 12 January – Russell England 1971 Leetile Disang Raditladi 1973 20 August – Jules Ellenberger 1975 Benjamin Steinberg 1977 Motlatsi Segokgo 16 May – Bakwana Kgosidintsi Kgari 1979 Ntebogang Ratshosa 29 October – Philip Matante

1970s in Botswana

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