Botswana Literature

Botswana literature belongs somewhere in the strong African literary writing circles. African literature is known for its consciousness and didactic writing styles.

Writing as an art form has existed in Botswana for a long while from the rock painting era especially in the Tsodilo Hills known to be 20,000 years old. This has gone on to the present day with the movie production of the No.1 Ladies Detective Agency story.

In recent times and to date Botswana has seen a remarkable appearance of distinguished writers whose genres range from historical, political and witty story writing.

Prominent amongst these are the South African born Bessie Head who settled in Serowe village, Andrew Sesinyi, Barolong Seboni, Unity Dow, Galesiti Baruti, Caitlin Davies and Moteane Melamu.

If there is a writer whose literary works have brought Botswana sharply into the international scene it is none other than the British author Alexander McCall.

In his acclaimed stories turned into a TV series The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency, he crafted a wily female sleuth and protagonist who owns a detective agency and lives in Gaborone to provide private detective service.

McCall portrays a Botswana society that is innocent, serene and responsible, scene very much closer to the real picture.

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