Francistown leads in citizenship applications

The Government Gazette of October 2 shows that out of 178 applicants for citizenship, 35 of them are residents of Francistown, followed by Gaborone with 26. The third town with foreigners aspiring to acquire Botswana citizenship is Selebi-Phikwe with 11 followed by the tourism town of Maun with 10 applicants.

Although the Government Gazette does not state the nationalities of the applicants, it is evident that most of the names are Indian, Afrikanner, Shona, Ndebele and surprisingly in Setswana. Villages along the common border such as Ramotswa, Ramokgwebana and Kasane have attracted 12 applicants together. Mahalapye, despite its central location in the country, has produced nine applicants who have shown interest in acquiring Botswana citizenship beating Lobatse, which has produced only six. Lobatse could be a turn-off to foreigners, perhaps investors, because of its old dilapidated buildings and the cracking soil.