Botswana

Bechuanaland was a virgin territory in Africa allocated to Persia during the World Crusade. Politically, it was a British High Commission Territory, which gained independence as Botswana in 1966.

            Shoghi Effendi called for pioneers to the territory in his cable of 14 October 1953 (Messages to the Bahá'í World, 173), John & Audrey Robarts, and their son Patrick Robarts, arrived in February 1954. All three were named Knights of Bahá'u'lláh.  At Ridvan 1957 the Bahá'í community numbered between 10 and 20 (Messages to the Bahá'í World, 113).  In 1956 the Bechuanaland Bahá'ís became part of the RSA of South and West Africa.  By 1963 there were two LSAs; seven groups, and one isolated member.