Botswana faces social cohesion challenges, Afrobarometer report finds

A new Afrobarometer report, ‘Social Cohesion in Africa: Bonds, Belonging and the Common Good’, highlights significant challenges regarding social cohesion and trust in Botswana.

Findings indicate that interpersonal trust is notably low, with only 38 percent of respondents stating they trust members of their own families. Trust levels drop further regarding social distance; only 23 percent of Batswana report trusting individuals from other ethnic groups.

The report also identifies concerns regarding the rule of law. Approximately 29 percent of those surveyed believe that judges and magistrates prioritize the influence of political leaders and government officials over the law, while 38 percent believe people are treated unequally before the law.

Regarding immigration, the data shows a mix of tolerance and economic anxiety. While 28 percent would dislike having immigrants or foreign workers as neighbors, 36 percent expressed a dislike for having refugees fleeing political violence or persecution as neighbors.