Botswana's pension expansion for elderly reveals systemic gaps in social care infrastructure
Original framing: “Pensions for Botswana’s elderly are growing, but care services are lacking – study tracks 20 years” — The Conversation - Global
In contrast to Botswana's pension-centric model, many East Asian countries blend state support with family-based care. South Korea, for example, has developed hybrid systems that integrate both formal and informal care networks, offering a potential model for Botswana.
Botswana's pension expansion for the elderly reveals a systemic gap between financial support and care infrastructure, rooted in post-colonial policy frameworks that often prioritize Western models over local knowledge.
By integrating traditional care systems with modern policy, and by centering the voices of marginalized groups, Botswana can develop a more holistic and culturally resonant approach to elder care. Comparative models from East Asia and hybrid policy frameworks offer pathways to balance economic and social needs. The challenge lies not only in expanding pensions but in reimagining care as a communal and intergenerational responsibility.