Type: parliamentary republic
Capital: Gaborone
Administrative divisions: 10 districts; Central, Chobe, Ghanzi,
Kgalagadi, Kgatleng, Kweneng, Ngamiland, North-East, South-East,
Southern; in addition, there are 4 town councils - Francistown,
Gaborone, Lobatse, Selebi-Phikwe
Independence: 30 September 1966 (from UK)
National holiday: Independence Day, 30 September (1966)
Constitution: March 1965, effective 30 September 1966
Legal system: based on Roman-Dutch law and local customary law; judicial review limited to matters of interpretation; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction
Suffrage: 21 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
chief of state and head of government: President Sir Ketumile MASIRE
(since 13 July 1980); Vice President Festus MOGAE (since 9 March
1992); election last held 15 October 1994 (next to be held October
1999); results - President Sir Ketumile MASIRE was reelected by the
National Assembly
cabinet: Cabinet; appointed by the president
Legislative branch: bicameral Parliament
House of Chiefs: is a largely advisory 15-member body consisting of
chiefs of the 8 principal tribes, 4 elected subchiefs, and 3 members
selected by the other 12
National Assembly: elections last held 15 October 1994 (next to be
held October 1999); results - percent of vote by party NA; seats - (44
total of which 40 are elected and 4 are appointed) BDP 27, BNF 13