Just a quick visit to this enormous African state with only 2 million inhabitants. In money terms it is one of the richest countries in Africa and darling of the West. No wonder, its constitution prohibits nationalization of private property. 40% of all government revenues comes from minerals. Botswana is rich in diamonds, uranium and copper, and many multi-national companies are operating here. Revenues from mining don't translate to social spending and in 2006 country even re-introduced school fees. Botswana has the second highest infection rate of HIV in the world after nearby Swaziland and its life expectancy at birth dropped from 65 to 35 years. It hardly looks like prosperous place. There is
no shortage of casinos and luxury cars in the capital and new highways are being built. But the countryside where most of the people live looks as desperate as in any other poor African country.