Dead Old Lobatse Road�s new lease on life
Nnasaretha Kgamanyane | Friday March 3, 2017 15:26
For most people, Old Lobatse Road, after the Yacht Club access road in Old Naledi, curves and wanders down to the railway line, before proceeding past Commerce Park to the circle where it joins its successor, the new Lobatse Road.
Others more intimate with Old Lobatse’s history know that the original road continues straight after the turn and used to actually run parallel to Gaborone Dam and the railway line, through south-eastern villages such as Otse all the way to Lobatse.
The old road was abandoned for its newer successor years ago to cater for the raising of the dam wall, which increased its capacity and length. Over the years, the dam waters, heavy bush and other debris swallowed most of the road, leaving it barely visible, particularly as it was hidden in the glare of its new successor.
Things are about to change for Old Lobatse Road however, or at least part of it. Authorities plan to reopen a section of the old road starting from Otse to Lobatse. This follows the collapse of a bridge over Nnywane River during the recent floods in the area, a situation that has closed the Lobatse-Gaborone road for the past 10 days.
Motorists have been forced to use the considerably longer Ranaka detour, negotiating deep potholes and heavy traffic. Public transport vehicles have added surcharges for the detour, while villagers in Otse have seen the frequency of transport dwindle as bus service operators are reluctant to travel to the village, drop of one or two passengers, only to have to U-turn by the fallen bridge and proceed to Lobatse via Mogobane.
Authorities believe re-opening a section of the Old Lobatse road could provide a viable, time and cost-saving alternative to the Ranaka route and give the area much needed diversity of routes in cases of future crises.
Yesterday, a Mmegi news crew in Otse was at pains to locate the old road and had to rely on elderly villagers who also had to dig deep to remember details about the abandoned road.
In Otse, Old Lobatse is situated near the railway line and proceeds in the direction of Lobatse through the village. The road has turned to bush and has become the preserve of donkey carts and potholes.
South East deputy district commissioner, Kolobetso Sejakgomo says investigations are ongoing to establish a temporary road by building on the Old Lobatse’s remnants.
“We have established that there is an old road that was used before the bridge was built. We have sent a team of engineers, roads department officers, police and officials from our office and others to go and investigate the site.
“After completing their investigations, we will determine whether we can re-open the road, make a temporary route or find other alternatives that would enable the public to travel to and from Lobatse and Gaborone without having to take long detours.” Even before a final decision is taken, Otse residents are excited. Olebogeng Mothibedi says re-opening and repairing the old road would enable them to go to and from Lobatse easily.
“I was excited when we were told that the old road will be graded and all the bushes removed while we wait for the reconstruction of Nnywane Bridge. We will no longer have to take long routes to go to Lobatse,” she said.
For Lee Masilomangwe, the old road is closer, cheaper and convenient.
“The temporary route is a better solution because it will be cheaper for us to travel to and from Lobatse without having to pay extra charges as buses had increased fares.
“Also, the Mogobane/Lobatse route, which is currently being used is not safe at all. It has many dangerous and big potholes. It is also very far,” he said.
Reports indicate that at least four people have died on the Mogobane/Ranaka/Lobatse road due in part to poor road conditions and high vehicle density.
While a certain decision has not been taken, even the suggestion that a section of the long lost road could once again come alive has excited a village.