White people in Botswana

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White people in Botswana are Batswana whose ancestry lies historically within the continent of Europe, most notably the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, and, more recently, directly from Serbia and other southern African nations.

White Africans account for around 3% of the country's population.^[1]

Botswana became a British protectorate in 1885 and gained independence as a Commonwealth nation in 1966. White settlers in Botswana, mainly Afrikaners and a small number of English-speakers, began arriving in the 1860s and primarily settled on farms near the South African border. The White population in Botswana never exceeded 3,000 individuals. The English spoken by the local population is influenced by South African dialects.^[2]

The present white population in Botswana is significantly smaller compared to its neighboring countries, with a considerable portion being non-permanent residents. This demographic trend is a result of Botswana's unique history as a protectorate rather than a colony. Many white Batswana can trace their ancestry back to colonial immigrants who arrived during British rule, although the majority are now citizens of Botswana rather than British. This demographic is typically affluent, with a significant number owning and operating their own businesses.^[3]

The White population usually speak Afrikaans, with a small Serbian community in the country's capital. The Afrikaner population is centred around farming communities in the Ghanzi Region (descendants of the Dorsland Trekkers). After the Zimbabwean Land Reforms, a number of Anglo-Zimbabwean farmers moved to Botswana (as well as South Africa and Zambia) to start new lives.^{[citation needed]}