'Mercenary Tradition' in Colonial and Post-colonial Administration,

This is meant to better explain the situation that led to the current factional war in the ruling Botswana Democratic (BDP) and also chart the way forward for the humiliated Barata-Phathi faction of the party. Although the Barata-Phathi had registered a hard fought victory at the BDP's congress in Kanye in July, the recent High Court judgment, which favoured the vanquished A-Team faction, has effectively rendered the Barata-Phati's victory meaningless or useless.

The leading historian of Botswana, Professor Neil Parsons in his book chapter entitled 'Colonel Rey and the Colonial Rulers of Botswana: Mercenary and Missionary Traditions in Administration' argues that the leadership of the colonial administration in this country was characterized by leaders who either had missionary background or military/police background. In particular Parsons is focusing on the career of Colonel Charles Rey.