Lobatse, Botswana
Encyclopedia
Lobatse is a town in South-Eastern Botswana
, 70 kilometres south of the capital Gaborone
, situated in a valley running north towards Gaborone. Lobatse has a population of 29,700 (Central Statistics Office, 2002). The town is an administrative district, with a Town Council.
Until independence in 1966, Botswana was the British Protectorate
of Bechuanaland, which had the unique problem in that it was the only country in the world where the capital was outside the borders of the country. Mafikeng
, South Africa
was then the capital, upon independence the new capital was either to be Lobatse or Gaborone. Gaborone was selected as the seat of the government, while Lobatse was selected as the seat of the judicial system.
In 1954 the colonial development co-operation built the Lobatse Abbatior which is now B.M.C (Botswana Meat Comission). Lobatse has the distinction of having the first tarmac road in Botswana, which was laid in 1958. At independence on 30 September 1966, this 5km-long section was the only tarred road in the entire country.This was the road from the Lobatse Station to the High Court which was specially built for the visit of King George vi and Queen Elizabeth of England in 1947.
(BMC), as ranching was the center of the Botswana economy before the discovery of diamonds and remains an important part of the culture. FLO-TEK Pipes and Irrigation, is the town's largest private employer.
Botswana
Botswana, officially the Republic of Botswana , is a landlocked country located in Southern Africa. The citizens are referred to as "Batswana" . Formerly the British protectorate of Bechuanaland, Botswana adopted its new name after becoming independent within the Commonwealth on 30 September 1966...
, 70 kilometres south of the capital Gaborone
Gaborone
' is the capital and largest city of Botswana with a population of 191,776 based on a 2006 survey, about 10% of the total population of Botswana....
, situated in a valley running north towards Gaborone. Lobatse has a population of 29,700 (Central Statistics Office, 2002). The town is an administrative district, with a Town Council.
History
The Bakgwaketse people were the first to settle in the area , which was later occupied by the Bangwaketse people in the 18th century. Archaeological remains still exist from these periodUntil independence in 1966, Botswana was the British Protectorate
Protectorate
In history, the term protectorate has two different meanings. In its earliest inception, which has been adopted by modern international law, it is an autonomous territory that is protected diplomatically or militarily against third parties by a stronger state or entity...
of Bechuanaland, which had the unique problem in that it was the only country in the world where the capital was outside the borders of the country. Mafikeng
Mafikeng
Mahikeng – formerly legally, but still commonly known as Mafikeng – is the capital city of the North-West Province of South Africa. It is best known internationally for the Siege of Mafeking, the most famous engagement of the Second Boer War.Located on South Africa's border with Botswana, it is ...
, South Africa
South Africa
The Republic of South Africa is a country in southern Africa. Located at the southern tip of Africa, it is divided into nine provinces, with of coastline on the Atlantic and Indian oceans...
was then the capital, upon independence the new capital was either to be Lobatse or Gaborone. Gaborone was selected as the seat of the government, while Lobatse was selected as the seat of the judicial system.
In 1954 the colonial development co-operation built the Lobatse Abbatior which is now B.M.C (Botswana Meat Comission). Lobatse has the distinction of having the first tarmac road in Botswana, which was laid in 1958. At independence on 30 September 1966, this 5km-long section was the only tarred road in the entire country.This was the road from the Lobatse Station to the High Court which was specially built for the visit of King George vi and Queen Elizabeth of England in 1947.
Economy
The High Court of Botswana is situated in Lobatse, as well as the headquarters of the Department of Geological Surveys and the Lobatse Mental Hospital, the only mental institution in Botswana. Several industries are located in Lobatse, the most important of which is the Botswana Meat CommissionBotswana Meat Commission
The Botswana Meat Commission was established by the newly-independent Botswana government in 1967 to be solely responsible for the slaughter and marketing of all beef exports from Botswana....
(BMC), as ranching was the center of the Botswana economy before the discovery of diamonds and remains an important part of the culture. FLO-TEK Pipes and Irrigation, is the town's largest private employer.