This day is commonly called Boipuso and commemorates the Declaration of Independence of Botswana from the United Kingdom on 30th September 1966. The most powerful ruler was King Kharma III, who had strong support from the British government. His eldest son was Sekgoma II, who became chief of the Bamangwato upon Kharma’s detah in 1923. Sekgoma’s eldest son was called Seretse, and Kharma had another son called Tshekedi. Sekgoma’s reign only lasted a year, leaving his son Seretse as rightful heir, but was only an infant so Tshekedi acted as regent of the tribe until Seretse was old enough. Seretese went to study law in Britian, and married a white woman Ruth Williams, which Tshekedi opposed as under Tswana custom a chief could nor marry simply as he pleased. This caused a split along demographuic lines in the tribe, older people went with Tshekedi and younger with Seretse. In the end, British authorities exiled both men, and rioting broke out and a number of people were killed. Seretse and Ruth were able to return and him and Tshekedi were able to patch things up a little bit. By now though, Seretse saw his destiny not as chief of the Bamangwato tribe, but rather as leader of the Botswana Democratic Party and as President of the country. In June 1964, the United Kingdom accepted proposals for a democratic self-government in Botswana. The seat of the government was moved in 1965 from Mahikeng in South Africa, to the nwely established Gaborone, which is located near Botswana’s border with South Africa. Based on the 1965 constitution, the country held its first general elections under universal suffrage and gained independence in 1966.
The day is a national holiday marked by patriotic displays. It is a federal holiday, so all non-essential federal institutions are closed on the day. Families often celebrate with a barbecue or picnic with relatives or friends. Parades are often held in the morning, with family get-togethers in the afternoon, and fireworks in the evenings.
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