The influence of "botho" on social space in Botswana since independence

Abstract

Since independence, Botswana has developed from one of the poorest countries in the world to a middle-income country. In spite of rapid urbanisation and global capitalism, the ideology and philosophy of social interaction and ethics known in Setswana as "botho", has unquestionably survived as a cultural construct. The most pertinent physical manifestations of 'botho" are the "kgotla" (meeting place) and the family home. This article explores the current state of these institutions, once exclusively male and female spaces respectively, comparing how the spatiality of these architectural places has reacted to prosperity and change in rural versus urban settings.

Die invloed van "botho" op sosiale ruimte in Botswana sedert onafhanklikheidswording. Sedert onafhanklikheid het Botswana ontwikkel vanaf een van die armste lande ter wêreld tot ‘n middel-inkomste land. Ten spyte van vinnige verstedeliking en globale kapitalisme het die ideologie van sosiale interaksie en etiek, in Setswana bekend as "botho", ongetwyfeld bly voortbestaan as ‘n kulturele bobou. Die mees pertinente fisiese manifestasie van "botho" is die "kgotla" (versamelplek) en die familiewoning. Hierdie artikel ondersoek die huidige stand van hierdie instellings, voorheen uitsluitlik manlike en vroulike ruimtes respektiewelik, en vergelyk hoe die ruimtelikheid van hierdie argitektoniese plekke gereageer het op vooruitgang en verandering tussen landelike en stedelike omgewings.