Francistown celebrates 120 years

Lesedi Mkhutshwa | Thursday October 26, 2017 15:25

The city was initially a settlement near the defunct Monarch mine and was named after an English gold prospector from the founding directors of Tati Concession in the 1890’s.

Back then the town comprised of one street east of, and parallel to the railway line.

This street featured several companies, including two hotels, (the Grand and the Tati), retail and wholesale shops and three banks.

In the last two decades Francistown has graduated from a shantytown and now boasts a host of modern malls among them Galo, Nswazwi, Nzano, Loja and Village.

In addition, the second city serves as a major transportation and communications hub for the northern part of the country.

Francistown is also the first ever city in the country to have an interchange, commonly referred to as the ‘spaghetti road’.

It has a population of about 113, 315 people, according to the 2001 population census.

The spaghetti city connects Botswana to Zimbabwe, through the A1 road which road has, regrettably, not been optimally busy due to the collapse of the Zimbabwean economy. It also connects Botswana to countries in Central Africa such as Zambia.

Addressing a press conference recently, Francistown City Council deputy mayor, Godisang Radisigo said the city is preparing to celebrate the occasion in grand style.

He said Francistown is one of Botswana’s first towns and the oldest commercial centre.

The FCC deputy mayor said that the town was declared a city 20 years ago by the late and former second President of Botswana Sir Ketumile Masire.

Local Organising Committee (LOC) chairperson, Kebaabetswe Bogatsu said the celebrations are very critical to the city’s development.

“The main event will be held on Saturday and will be graced by dignitaries from both locally and regionally.

It will be an event filled with entertainment from the renowned award winning music star Vee and other local entertainers.

“A football match will follow the ceremony featuring Highlanders from Bulawayo (Zimbabwe) and Tafic, which is sponsored by Mascom to the tune of P106, 000.00,” Bogatsu, who is also Business Botswana northern regional manager.

Before the main event however, a carnival will be held on Friday as part of pre-celebrations.

Last weekend Francistown Local Organising Committee hosted a motorcade around the city in preparation to celebrate the city’s 120 years of existence.

A motorcade was held to raise awareness in the city so that hordes of Francistowners would be part of the 120 years celebration.