Gaborone, estimated population 186,000 (2001), is the capital of Botswana. It replaced Mafeking as the capital of the Bechuanaland Protectorate in 1965. Mafeking (now Mafikeng) was outside the Bechuanaland Protectorate, in north-west South Africa, an odd arrangement that dated from the early colonial period. Obviously when the Protectorate became independent as Botswana it would need 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 Gaberone's i.e. Gaberone's Village, following the early practice of referring to African tribal capitals by the name of the chief, in this case Gaborone of the BaTlokwa, whose village, now called Tlokweng, was just across a river from the "Government Camp" (colonial government headquarters). The new city, Gaborone, has a relatively good water supply, which has facilitated growth. Originally it was planned to be quite a small town, but it has grown rapidly.
The old Gaberones became a suburb of the new Gaborone, and is now known as "the Village". The abbreviation "Gabs" has survived as the abbreviation for Gaborone and is sometimes used in speech.
Nearby manganese and asbestos mines have led to industrial expansion.
One of Africa's fastest-growing cities, Gaborone lies in the flat valley between Kgale and Oodi hills, on the Notwane River in the south eastern corner of Botswana, and 15 km from the South African border.
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.
Gaborone was, for many years, the fastest growing city in the world, and even now, is still considered the fastest growing city in Africa[[3]].
Gaborone, estimated population 186,000 (2001), is the capital of Botswana.
Often described as Africa's fastest growing city, Botswana'scapitalGaborone 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.
Gaborone was chosen because of its strategic location, its proximity to the railway line and Pretoria, its already established administrative offices, its accessibility to most of the major tribes, its non-association with any particular tribe, and, most importantly, its closeness to a major water source.
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