1980s in Botswana

The following lists events that happened during the 1980s in Botswana.

Incumbents

 * President:
 * Seretse Khama (1966–1980)
 * Quett Masire (1980–1998)
 * Vice President
 * Quett Masire (1966–1980)
 * Lenyeletse Seretse (1980–1983)
 * Peter Mmusi (1983–1992)

1980

 * Botswana co-founds the Southern African Development Coordination Conference.
 * 13 July – President Seretse Khama dies. He is succeeded by Quett Masire.

1981

 * A drought in Southern Africa begins, destroying approximately 75% of crops in Botswana. It will continue until 1987.

1982

 * The Financial Assistance Policy is implemented to provide grants for businesses.
 * Botswana National Museum hosts Culture & Resistance Conference, 5–9 July 1982.
 * February – The Jwaneng diamond mine is established.
 * June – The Botswana Progressive Union is founded.
 * September – The University of Botswana is founded.

1983

 * 3 January – Vice President Lenyeletse Seretse dies. Peter Mmusi becomes vice president.
 * A labour law is passed limiting the right to unionise.

1984

 * The Sir Seretse Khama International Airport opens.
 * May – The Public Service Act allows civil servants to operate in the private sector.
 * 8 September – The 1984 Botswana general election is held. The Botswana Democratic Party maintains its majority.

1985

 * 1985 – HIV is first identified in Botswana, beginning the nation's HIV epidemic.
 * 14 June – South African soldiers invade Botswana and attack the headquarters of a South African anti-apartheid group in Gabarone. 12 people are killed, and the action is condemned in a resolution by the United Nations.

1986

 * 17 April – Botswana's first women's rights group, Emang Basadi, is established.

1987

 * A referendum is held to form a Supervisor of Elections. It passes with 78.1% of the vote.
 * The university is closed for several months in response to student protests against police misconduct.
 * May – Morupule Electric Power Station is established.
 * 1 October – Botswana Railways is established.
 * November – The constitution is amended so that only citizens of Botswana can serve as president.

1989

 * Free secondary education is made available in Botswana.
 * 7 October – The 1989 Botswana general election is held. The Botswana Democratic Party maintains its majority.

Deaths

 * 1980
 * 13 July – Seretse Khama, President of Botswana
 * 1982
 * Benjamin Thema, Minister of Education
 * 16 September – Keoagetse Radipotsane, Batswana football player
 * 1983
 * 3 January – Lenyeletse Seretse, vice-president of Botswana
 * 1986
 * Archelaus Tsoebebe, Minister of Labour and Social Services
 * 17 April – Bessie Head, writer