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Panda: Meeting point of Old Hunters’ Road, Old Cattle Trail

Back in time: Westbeech’s Store in Pandamatenga 1891 PIC: ZIMBABWE NATIONAL ARCHIVES
Back in time: Westbeech’s Store in Pandamatenga 1891 PIC: ZIMBABWE NATIONAL ARCHIVES

There are two versions of what the name ‘Pandamatenga’ really means.

One version says Pandamatenga was named after a renowned elephant hunter called ‘Mutenga’ who used a strategic spot by the bush around the Mpanda trees (rain trees) near the river as his favourite hunting base. As this version of the story goes, Mutenga was a reliable supplier of ivory to European travellers. Other hunters, mostly European, began to use his spot calling it Mpanda Mutenga.

The other version claims that the name is derived from ‘panda’ meaning ‘market’ and ‘tenga’ meaning ‘to bring.’

Editor's Comment
Gov't must guard against cadre deployment

As the Botswana National Front (BNF) discusses a policy to place suitably qualified members in strategic positions, the guiding consideration should remain whether an individual is the best person to serve the country. There is nothing wrong with qualified party members applying for public positions. Political affiliation should neither disqualify a capable candidate nor give them an advantage over others. Every Motswana deserves a fair...

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