South Africa�s and Botswana�s performance and outlook

This was in recognition of South Africa’s economic potential and its position as a powerhouse in Africa. Botswana, in comparison, is a much smaller country in almost every respect.

However, South Africa has been a major disappointment to many observers who are interested in the rising star’s slow but questionable rise since the end of apartheid more than two decades ago. Nelson Mandela brought a lot of hope and promise to the nation as its first post-apartheid President. However, unfulfilled dreams of economic prosperity, failed attempts at ushering in equality (social, economic and political) in a racially divided and culturally bruised admixture of civilisations; and, fundamental failures in almost every key aspect of economy, society and politics are undoing the country’s hopes for a better future for its citizens. Democracy is faltering as well through corruption and strong-arm tactics by the current government, including suppressing certain basic tenets of democracy – a free press, accountability mechanisms, and