Gaborone�s strange terminology, names and features

The oddity began very early. In the middle of the planned town is the main Mall. A stone’s throw away is the ‘African Mall’ which was a last minute initiative to encourage ‘African’ investment in the new town by making available plots at a considerably lower price than in the central, main Mall.

Several long standing Asian residents, not least, seized their opportunity and established business which are still there. As indeed they did in the main Mall! In that sense, both Malls are misnamed! It seems that a similar misnaming is now also occurring with the new central business district which is fast becoming as much government as it is business.