1980s in Botswana
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Incumbents
- President:
- Seretse Khama (1966–1980)
- Quett Masire (1980–1998)
- Vice President
- Quett Masire (1966–1980)
- Lenyeletse Seretse (1980–1983)
- Peter Mmusi (1983–1992)
Events
1980
- Botswana co-founds the Southern African Development Coordination Conference.[1]
- 13 July – President Seretse Khama dies. He is succeeded by Quett Masire.[2]: 41
1981
1982
- The Financial Assistance Policy is implemented to provide grants for businesses.[3]: 98
- Botswana National Museum hosts Culture & Resistance Conference, 5–9 July 1982.[4]
- February – The Jwaneng diamond mine is established.[5]: xxxv
- June – The Botswana Progressive Union is founded.[5]: xxxv
- September – The University of Botswana is founded.[5]: xxxv
1983
- 3 January – Vice President Lenyeletse Seretse dies. Peter Mmusi becomes vice president.[5]: xxxv
- A labour law is passed limiting the right to unionise.[6]: 79
1984
- The Sir Seretse Khama International Airport opens.[5]: xxxvi
- May – The Public Service Act allows civil servants to operate in the private sector.[5]: xxxvi
- 8 September – The 1984 Botswana general election is held. The Botswana Democratic Party maintains its majority.[5]: xxxvi
1985
- 1985 – HIV is first identified in Botswana, beginning the nation's HIV epidemic.[5]: xxxvi
- 14 June – South African soldiers invade Botswana and attack the headquarters of a South African anti-apartheid group in Gabarone.[2]: 20 12 people are killed, and the action is condemned in a resolution by the United Nations.[1]
1986
- 17 April – Botswana's first women's rights group, Emang Basadi, is established.[5]: xxxvi
1987
- A referendum is held to form a Supervisor of Elections. It passes with 78.1% of the vote.
- The university is closed for several months in response to student protests against police misconduct.[6]: 79
- May – Morupule Electric Power Station is established.[5]: xxxvi
- 1 October – Botswana Railways is established.[5]: xxxvi
- November – The constitution is amended so that only citizens of Botswana can serve as president.[5]: xxxvi
1988
1989
- Free secondary education is made available in Botswana.[6]: 82
- 7 October – The 1989 Botswana general election is held. The Botswana Democratic Party maintains its majority.[5]: xxxvi
Deaths
- 1980
- 13 July – Seretse Khama, President of Botswana
- 1982
- Benjamin Thema, Minister of Education
- 16 September – Keoagetse Radipotsane, Batswana football player
- 1983
- 3 January – Lenyeletse Seretse, vice-president of Botswana
- 1986
- Archelaus Tsoebebe, Minister of Labour and Social Services
- 17 April – Bessie Head, writer