Gaborone

Gaborone (pron. IPA ), estimated population 186,000 (2001), is the capital of Botswana. Gaborone is located at Often described as Africa's fastest growing city, Botswana's capital Gaborone is a vibrant and colourful city, which lies in the flat valley between Kgale and Oodi hills, on the Notwane River in the south eastern corner of Botswana, 15km from the South African border post at Tlokweng. Before 1969, the city was known as Gaberones[http://www.thuto.org/ubh/bw/bhp7.htm. Gaberones replaced Mafeking as the capital of the Bechuanaland Protectorate in 1965. Mafeking (now Mafikeng) was outside the Bechuanaland Protectorate, in what is now the North West Province of South Africa, an odd arrangement that dated from the early colonial period. When the Protectorate became independent, Botswana needed a capital city within its territory; earlier it had been thought Lobatse might serve as capital but it was decided that it would be too limited, and instead a new capital city would be created adjacent to Gaberones, a small colonial administrative settlement. The name was originally Gaberones, from Gaborone's Village, following the early practice of referring to African tribal capitals by the name of the chief, in this case Chief Kgosi Gaborone of the BaTlokwa, whose village, now called Tlokweng, was just across a river from the "Government Camp" (colonial government headquarters).

In three short years, a new capital emerged from the African bush. By the time it was completed, it boasted Assembly buildings, Government office blocks, a power station, a hospital, schools, a radio station, a telephone exchange, police stations, a post office, banks, shops, a church, a hotel, a brewery, a stadium grandstand and more than 1,000 houses. The basic infrastructure was in place for Independence Day on 30 September 1966, when Bechuanaland became the eleventh British dependency in Africa to become independent. The old Gaberones became a suburb of the new Gaborone, and is now known as "the Village". Today it is a very different story, and Gaborone is a bustling modern city, and the seat of power for one of Africa's most successful economies.

The word "Gabs" is the most commonly used abbreviation for Gaborone and is sometimes used in casual speech.

The new city, Gaborone, has a relatively good water supply, which has facilitated growth. Originally planned as a relatively small town, the rapid development has necessitated construction of a larger city dam to provide an adequate water supply.

Gaborone was, for many years, the fastest growing city in the world, and even now, is still among the fastest. Every year, the majority of the country's infrastructural budget goes towards improving this city's roads, buildings, and servces. Since most of the large buildings are relatively new, the entire downtown area tends towards modernity, built generally with a mix of glass, steel and bricks.

Nearby manganese and asbestos mines have led to industrial expansion.

The Southern African Development Community (SADC) has its headquarters in Gaborone; the organization was formed in 1980 to increase economic cooperation among its members and reduce dependence on South Africa. Gaborone is the seat of the University of Botswana.

Today Gaborone is a vibrant cosmopolitan capital, and although small in size, is a melting pot of diverse cultures and practices. There are numerous busy shopping malls offering a full range of imported and locally produced goods, excellent restaurants, international-quality hotels, sports clubs and various night clubs. New buildings and suburbs (such as Phakalane) sprout like mushrooms wherever exists a block of land to fit them, resulting in a mix of low-cost housing, blocks of flats, shopping centres and industrial complexes.

The University of Botswana, the nation's largest tertiary education facility, is a rapidly growing institution. The main campus is located in central Gaborone, and hosts students primarily from different parts of Botswana, as well as a large expatriate student body. The university's new library (added in 2001) is the largest public library in Southern Africa.

The international airport Sir Seretse Khama International Airport provides access to the country.

The Main Mall (The Mall)

The Main Mall is the starting point for your journey around Gaborone. This area was planned in 1963, in a preparation for the Independence and was to be the town centre, located between the Railway Station and the Army Garrison. Today it is the heart of Gaborone with shops, banks, business offices, as well as walkway with people selling crafts and other goods. At the eastern end of The Mall is the Civic Centre that also houses a public reference library. Opposite the Civic Centre is the Pula Arch, a landmark that commemorates the Independence of Botswana.

The National Assembly

The National Assembly is at the top of the Main Mall where it is surrounded by the other tall government buildings. At the centre of this government enclave is a paved square with a War Memorial in memory of the 300 Batswana who died fighting with the Allies against Fascism in the Second World War, 1939 to 1945. There is also a statue of Sir Seretse Khama, Botswana's first President.

National Sports Stadium, Golf Club, Cricket Club, Rugby Club, Tennis Association Courts

Gaborone golf course

Some 2km south of the Main Mall the National Sports Stadium, the Gaborone Golf Club, the Cricket Club, the Rugby Club and the Botswana Tennis Association Courts are located. Tennis Association Courts hosted the international Davis Cup competition in 1997. There are numerous gymnasiums throughout the city and the main hotels all have good in-house gym and health club facilities. A second golf course has also recently been completed in Phakalane, and offers excellent club house facilities and a well-designed course set in landscaped woodland, edged with prime residential properties. See the map.

Kgale Hill

Kgale Hill dominates Gaborone on the western edge of the city. It offers a pleasant climb with breathtaking views of the Dam and city. Visitors can choose one of three well-defined routes up the hill: the steep Rusty's Route up the rocky face; the longer Transfeldt Trail up the back; and the undulating walk across the saddle to Cross Kopje. Each takes less than an hour. There is a resident troop of baboons living on Kgale and a pair of black eagles consistently nests in the craggy cliff-face just below the peak. There have also been reports of early morning sightings of leopard.

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St. Claire Lion Park

While lions are the major attraction, the St Claire Lion Park has a great deal more to offer. Set in open woodland 14km from Gaborone on the Lobatse road, a variety of outdoor activities are offered for the family, making it a favourite haunt of the "Gaborone 4x4 Club" and a relaxing spot for weekend picnics and getaways. An entrance fee is charged, and facilities include a restaurant, bar, extensive children's playground, horse trails, motorbike rides, a vulture restaurant (where Otse's Cape vultures are fed), three dams, game viewing, picnic sites and the camping grounds. The park is open every day, but the bar and restaurant are closed on Mondays.

References

Bruce Bennett, "A note on place names, historical terms, etc.", ^*