Adopt-a-monument in pictures at the National Museum

GASEBALWE SERETSE
Staff Writer | Friday May 30, 2008 00:00

 

In an earlier interview, Director of National Museum, Monuments and Art Gallery Gaogakwe Phorano pointed out the need for interested stakeholders to be actively involved in the management of heritage sites and monuments. To try and woo potential stakeholders, the museum is currently hosting an exhibition of pictures of some of the monuments found in the country.

Pictures on display include those of the following:

The Three Dikgosi
Some of the most celebrated figures in the country are the three Dikgosi - Khama III, Sebele I and Bathoen I - who went to Britain in the 1890s to protest against the possible incorporation of Botswana into either South Africa or Rhodesia. These icons are revered by most Batswana and it is befitting that the 5m tall bronze statues in the new Gaborone Central Business District (CBD) were erected in their honour. Sadly, whoever compiled background information on the posters for the museum has some facts wrong. The writer wrongly said that Khama II (not III) went with the other Dikgosi to petition Queen Elizabeth, fact of the matter is that back then, Queen Elizabeth II was not even born, it was her grandmother, Queen Victoria who was reigning at the time.

Domboshaba Ruins
According to archaeologists and historians, the ruins at Domboshaba in the North Eastern part of Botswana date back to the Iron Age and the site was built around 1450. The free standing walls attract a good number of tourists and religious pilgrims who visit the site annually to celebrate Kalanga culture, especially during the Domboshaba festival made famous by the Ikalanga jazz artiste, Dingo Johwa.

Old Palapye
Some of the main tourist attractions at the former Bangwato capital in Old Palapye are the ruins of the church that Khama III and the Bangwato built in the 1890s. According to some accounts, some of the materials used to build the church were taken from Shoshong where the Ngwato capital had been before being move to Old Palapye. Apart from the church, there are tombstones of white traders and missionaries who settled among the Bangwato and the ruins of a prison.

Seretse Khama's Statue
The statue of the first president Sir Seretse Khama, who led Botswana from 1966 until his death in July 1980, is certainly one of the most accessible monuments in the country.

The bronze statue was erected in 1986 in front of Parliament Building and placed strategically to 'watch over the people of Botswana'. Interestingly, just before the inauguration of the current President Lieutenant-General Seretse Khama Ian Khama it was turned to face west, overlooking Parliament Buildings.

Moremi Gorge
Nestled in the picturesque Tswapong Hills, the Moremi Gorge is a beautiful place to behold with a number of gorges and waterfalls. According to the museum, the gorge is home to some rare raptors including the endangered Cape Vultures. Some traditionalists make pilgrimage to the hills to consult their ancestors and seek divine healing.

According to some accounts, Kgosi Khama III of the Bangwato frequented Tswapong Hills where he had favourite spots. His love for the area was passed on to his son, Kgosi Tshekedi Khama, who would later build Moeng College in the area.

Gcwihaba Caves
According to the museum, Gcwihaba, in Ngamiland, is a 'unique cave system with untouched deposits that have great research value in explaining human genesis in Botswana'. Researches aside, what attracts ordinary people to Gcwihaba are the spectacular stalagmite and stalactite formations in the caves. The caves are also home to diverse insects and bats.

Baines Baobabs
Named after 19th Century explorer and painter Thomas Baine, Baines Baobabs are singularly spectacular for their extraordinary clustering. Baines did a painting of the baobabs, which are sometimes called Seven Sisters, in 1862. The baobabs have attracted many eminent tourists including Britain's Prince Charles, who has also done a painting of them.

While government deserves commendation for the Adopt-a-Monument policy and other equally important initiatives, it must be mentioned in the same breath that something needs to be done about the regional museums, which are on the brink of collapse. In his column, one of the most outspoken people about the situation in district museums, Sandy Grant, perhaps rightly said, '...this country has seven varied museums but the minister, despite having portfolio responsibility for all museums, was able to mention only one of them - that is the costly, very government owned museum, which has absolutely no roots in any community'.

Grant went on to point out that the theme for the National Museum has been 'Man and his Environment' for the last 40 years.

This year, the Botswana National Museum commemorates 40 years of 'preserving and sharing Botswana's unique heritage'. 

Tsodilo Hills
Tsodilo Hills, also in Ngamiland, are Botswana's only World Heritage Site. The hills are decorated with over 4,500 ancient rock paintings. The rock paintings are believed to have been made by the San people and are thought to be among the earliest decorations ever made in human history.