Alexander McCall Smith proves No.1 hit in home of his lady detective

Published on Wednesday 29 September 2010 18:58

THE novels of best-selling Edinburgh author Alexander McCall Smith have transformed the international image of Botswana through the gentle figure of his heroine. Precious Ramotswe and her No.1 Ladies' Detective Agency.

• Alexander McCall Smith in his beloved Botswana. Picture: Chris Watt

And now Botswana's president is to bestow one of the African nation's top awards on the writer.

Mr McCall Smith came to know its people when he taught at the University of Botswana in the early 1980s.

He was made a CBE in Britain in 2006 but said yesterday he was "very, very pleased" after Botswana's President Ian Khama awarded him the Presidential Order of Meritorious Service.

He is currently working on the 12th book in the Ladies' Detective Agency series, with The Saturday Big Tent Wedding Party due to be published next March. "I think the books probably helped the positive projection of the country," said Mr McCall Smith, who travels to Botswana every year and expects to pick up his award in the spring.

His long involvement in Botswana has included constructing and supporting an opera house there.

On a trip to Stockholm this week, the author appeared at a reception run by the Botswana Embassy to promote tourism and trade.

"They are keen to attract investment because it's a case of an economy which is pretty reliant on a single product, diamonds," he said. "Botswana is a very reliable partner for investors.

"I am delighted to have received this honour. I had not expected it and I am very touched by this gesture. I have the highest respect for the country and its people. If my books have helped to correct a negative image of African then I am very happy that this is the case."

The adventures of Mma Ramotswe, the "traditionally built" Botswanan who takes a soothing approach to solving crimes and personal problems over cups of tea, have been seen as an antidote to the more clichd visions of Africa as ravaged by war, disease, and corruption.

It is not known whether President Khama is a fan, but several other people in his government have read the books, said Mr McCall Smith. He praised Botswana for keeping its diamond industry "scrupulously regulated" and using the proceeds to pay for health, education and roads.

Since Botswana became independent in 1966 "they have built up a remarkable country, very cautiously and very well. They had a very good start with the current president's father," joked Sir Seretse Khama, who held office from 1966 to 1980.Clue to his agency's success

THE No.1 Ladies' Detective Agency was first published by Polygon in Edinburgh in 1998 and has since been translated into more than 45 languages.

The book grew from a stand-alone novel into a series with sales of more than 20 million copies in the English language alone. Alexander McCall Smith has a contract to write 14 novels in the series. A film adaptation, directed by Anthony Minghella and starring jazz singer and actress Jill Scott, has been broadcast on the BBC. Mr McCall Smith said yesterday that two further films were planned.