The History Department, which includes the Archaeology Unit, takes its mandate from the famous (though often misquoted) words of the first President of Botswana, Sir Seretse Khama: "A nation without a past is a lost nation, and a people without a past is a people without a soul.” When Botswana gained its independence, much of its history and prehistory were un-researched, that is until 1976 and 1985, when staff and students in the History and Archaeology programmes, respectively, undertook the task of building our past. Over the years, the steady stream of research by our staff and students together with our worthwhile programmes had a significant contribution towards understanding the world’s history and pre-history. Graduates who majored in History and/or Archaeology have populated every niche in the private and public sector, as teachers, senior civil service administrators, journalists, officers in the police and army, business men and women, secondary and tertiary educational administrators, politicians, publishers, and media producers. Understanding the present and planning for the future require knowledge and analysis of the past. It is the task of our department, through education and research, to assist the continent and the world in this endeavour. The History programme at the University of Botswana is the nation’s sole provider of knowledge about the prehistory and history of Botswana, the continent and the world.
The Future, the Present, owe it to the Past…
Programmes
Staff Profile
Name | Position | Department |
---|---|---|
Mr. Geoffrey Barei | Senior Lecturer | History |
Prof. Maitseo M.M. Bolaane | Associate Professor | History |
Dr. Glorious Bongani Gumbo | Senior Lecturer | History |
Prof. Christian John Makgala | Professor | History |
Dr. Boga Thura Manatsha | Senior Lecturer | History |
Prof. Part Themba Mgadla | Associate Professor | History |
Dr Cynthia Ontiretse Mooketsi | Lecturer in Archaeology | History |
Prof. Wazha Gilbert Morapedi | Associate Professor | History |
Prof. Morongwa Nancy Mosothwane | Associate Professor | History |
Dr. Sarah Mantshadi Mothulatshipi | Senior Lecturer | History |