Intrusion into Rural Tribal Space in Botswana: The Case of the Trans-Kalahari Motor Race, 1975-1981

Intrusion into Rural Tribal Space in Botswana: The Case of the Trans-Kalahari Motor Race, 1975-1981

Author: 
Makgala, Christian John
Place: 
Oxon
Publisher: 
Taylor & Francis Group
Date published: 
2019
Record type: 
Journal Title: 
Journal of Southern African Studies
Source: 
Journal of Southern African Studies, Vol. 45, No. 5, 2019, pp. 945-961
Abstract: 

In line with the international sports boycott of apartheid, by the mid 1970s Botswana was not allowing black South African football teams to compete in Botswana, despite their immense popularity and influence in the country. Ironically, in 1975, the government agreed to host an exclusively white motor sport dominated by South Africans. This article argues that the government of Botswana succumbed to claims by the South African organisers of the race, that Botswana would benefit from international publicity and a tourism boost. Reported 'tremendous interest from State House in the race' further suggests that the first family may have prevailed on the government through President Sir Seretse Khama to host the race in Botswana. The government rode roughshod over resistance from tribal communities, local district leadership and some British expatriates worried about the negative social and environmental effects of the race. The government also disregarded the Tswana tradition of consultation with the people through a kgotla forum. The staging of the race ended abruptly in 1981.

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Country focus: 

CITATION: Makgala, Christian John. Intrusion into Rural Tribal Space in Botswana: The Case of the Trans-Kalahari Motor Race, 1975-1981 . Oxon : Taylor & Francis Group , 2019. Journal of Southern African Studies, Vol. 45, No. 5, 2019, pp. 945-961 - Available at: https://library.au.int/intrusion-rural-tribal-space-botswana-case-trans-kalahari-motor-race-1975-1981