This installment links several prominent heritage sites that remain largely unknown to many people who travel northwards using either the Molepolole-Shoshong Road or the A1 Highway that follows much of the railway line that forms part of Cecil John Rhodes ambitious efforts to build an empire between Cape Town and Cairo during the colonial era. Many people are in fact not aware that before the construction of this railway line, the road to the north followed a totally different course. During the 19th Century, this road linked the town of Mafikeng with major villages in the southern parts of Botswana. From Mafikeng, one travelled along a winding dirt road synonymous with ox drawn wagons passing through Ramotswa, Kanye and Molepolole before heading northwards to Shoshong trading town. This route remained functional until the 20th Century when Rhodes' railway line changed the course of the road to the present day A1 Highway road that links Lobatse, Gaborone, Mahalapye, Palapye, Serule and Francistown. But of paramount significance to us are heritage sites that are found along the course of the old and the new roads to the north. If you choose to follow much of the course of the historic road to the north, your starting point is Molepolole. This road was used by famous 19th and 20th century travellers, missionaries, traders, hunters and explorers who had a passion for conquering the then unknown wilderness of this country. The legendary medical doctor, reverend and explorer David Livingstone, missionaries John Moffat, John Mackenzie, L R Tarr, the notorious lion hunter and many others used this road. Heritage sites in the areas surrounding Ramotswa, Kanye and Molepolole were discussed in previous editions. During historic times no traveller could afford to continue with the journey to the north without a brief stop at the then well-known fresh waters of the Lephephe Wells. These wells served an important stopover station where ox wagons were repaired while oxen and horses were allowed to rest before embarking on the long journey to yet another stopover site that was even considered to be a more reliable source of water.
From Lephephe Wells, a long journey along sandy and often difficult tracks took you to Masowe Pan. This was in fact a haven for most hunters. This pan provided water for many animals that inhabited this part of the country.
