ABSTRACT
This chapter argues that the approach Botswana has taken is grounded in the social contract theory, guided by the traditional therisano forum' social justice, the values of botho; kutlwelo botlhoko; ipelegeng and pillars of the Vision 2016. It outlines five of Botswana's social assistance programmes: Income Support for Children; Income Support for Older Persons and People with Disabilities; Social Assistance to the Unemployed and the Poor; World War Veterans Allowance; and Destitute Persons Programme. The World Bank and the Botswana Institute for Development Policy Analysis report that social protection spending accounted for about 4.4 per cent of the gross domestic product in fiscal year 2012/2013. Botswana's Bill of Rights does not specify socio-economic rights for members of society who need social assistance, nor is such assistance a directive principle of state policy. The Botswana Universal Pension scheme provides a pension for Botswana citizens aged 65 and above.
