History of diamond mining in Botswana

Bechuanaland which had been under British protection for some time held its first ever general elections in 1965. The Bechuanaland Democratic Party (BDP) under the leadership of Seretse Khama won these elections. In 1966 Bechuanaland was declared independent with Seretse Khama as its first president. In 1967, a year after independence, diamonds were discovered. From then on Botswana's economy started to strive.