The Yin Yang of Mogoditshane's economic boom
Lewanika Timothy | Wednesday April 8, 2026 09:56
Botswana’s economic landscape has experienced widespread slowdown, with most economic centres either seeing decreasing foot traffic or declining consumer spend. Private sector ventures like retail outlets have been decrying the falling consumer spend with buyers generally experiencing tighter spending power.
Last week government announced Mogoditshane is being considered for elevation to township status, while the Mogoditshane–Thamaga District Council is set to be split into two separate districts as part of broader efforts to improve service delivery and strengthen local governance structures.
Addressing councillors, the Minister of Local Government and Traditional Affairs, Ketlhalefile Motshegwa, outlined the key considerations guiding both the creation of new districts and the upgrading of villages into townships. He explained that factors such as population size, political considerations, social cohesion, infrastructure, clear boundaries, road networks and the distance between settlements all play a critical role in the decision-making process.
While all this happens, Mogoditshane has remained resilient with reports showing that the village’s retail base has remained strong with core sales in the area supported by a growing population.
Job creation
The village with close to 100,000 residents has been a driver of employment for the city of Gaborone, with its diversified property base offering home to the city’s warehouses and industries. Its large residential area has also been home to a vast majority of people working in Gaborone, with property prices in the area appreciating year on year.
Last week it was revealed that unlicensed imported pre-owned motor dealers in Mogoditshane are employing at least 165 people, highlighting their growing role in job creation at a time when Botswana continues to grapple with rising unemployment.
Assistant Minister of Trade and Entrepreneurship, Baratiwa Mathoothe, revealed this when responding to a question in Parliament from Mogoditshane East MP, Letlhogonolo Barongwang. The MP had sought clarity on the number of licensed and unlicensed second-hand vehicle dealerships operating in Mogoditshane, as well as their contribution to employment and government revenue.
Mathoothe disclosed that a recent profiling exercise identified a total of 120 active imported pre-owned motor dealer operators in Mogoditshane. Of these, 62 are licensed by the Mogoditshane-Thamaga District Council, whilst 58 are operating without licenses and are therefore considered illegal.
Booming property sector
Shopping centres and commercial strips now stretch along the Gabane road, with new retail and mixed-use developments coming up at a steady pace. What was once a largely residential village is fast turning into a fully-fledged urban node.
Developers are betting on one thing: people.
Each new housing cluster brings with it demand for shops, services and logistics space, creating a cycle that continues to reinforce growth in the area. Small retail centres are popping up within neighbourhoods, while larger developments are positioning themselves along key transport routes.
In an interview with Mmegi, PrimeTime CEO, Turnie Morolong, said Mogoditshane stands apart from the broader economic slowdown.
“Mogoditshane is an outlier. The growing population supports economic activity and that’s why developers are drawn to that area,” he said.
Crime
The downside has been that the exodus of people into Mogoditshane has resulted in thugs moving in as well and claiming their spot. People’s goods are stolen everyday whether during the day or night and not even the comfort of their homes can keep them safe as the perpetrators continue to find a way of breaking into houses even in the presence owners.
The criminals are the ones that also torment the streets of Gaborone day and night. Residents of this urbanising village do not know what peaceful sleep means as in their slumber their conscience is always on the alert to any sound from outside the house.
In the past, there have been incidents in which residents were attacked, raped and their goods stolen by unknown culprits who then vanish into the night leaving no trail. The said criminals usually target television sets, mobile phones, laptops and valuable goods, which afterwards they sell cheaply. The criminals cause havoc despite Sir Seretse Khama Barracks located just within reach.
Mogadishu, as Mogoditshane is popularly known, is a village where it is taboo for one to leave their laundry on the drying lines. The police have on many occasions cited the location as a hot spot for criminals with theft incidents especially pick pocketing occurring more often, thus keeping the police on their toes.
Even those who assume they are safe when they drive vehicles they are attacked at roads intersections and bus stops. Back in 2019, four men attacked passengers in a combi in Mogoditshane and stabbed a man to death with a knife, stole mobile phones and snatched women’s hand bags.
The rise in crime statistics is shocking to the police in the area as 'Mogadishu' continues to give the police headaches in terms of criminal activities. Police reports show that the village registered 12 murder cases in 2019, nine in 2020 and five murder cases in 2021 respectively, with most of the 2019/20 cases as a result of alcohol related misunderstandings.
Former Station Commander, Russ Letsebe, revealed to Mmegi in an earlier interview that rape cases were also growing to be nightmare in the area. According to Letsebe, Mogoditshane recorded 101 rape cases in 2019, 71 in 2020 and 105 cases in 2021 that mostly involved teenage girls who were allegedly raped by their close family members.
“The 2021 numbers overlaps from 2020 the time in which people were in lockdown with their family members. Some are reported to have demonstrated behaviour that their close family members were not aware of,” he said.
The police stated that back in 2019 most of the rape cases were classified as date rape in which the perpetrators were often casual friends, or individuals who victims are familiar with or had spent time with.
It was further stated that armed robbery remains the area’s concern even during lockdown and curfew times indicating that they have recorded 73 cases in 2019, 61 in 2020 and 67 cases in 2021. Letsebe said in most of the cases, robbers were targeting the business community attacking them after closing their businesses.
While buzzing as an economic hive of activity, Mogoditshane is also suffering from the criminal attention that comes with the new status.