Francistown
Encyclopedia
Francistown or Nyangabgwe is the second largest city in Botswana
, with a population of about 85,363, and often described as the "Capital of the North". It is located in eastern Botswana, about 400 kilometres (248.5 mi) north-northeast from the capital, Gaborone
. Francistown is located at the confluence of the Tati and Inchwe rivers, and near the Shashe River
(tributary
to the Limpopo
) and 90 kilometres from the international border with Zimbabwe
. Francistown was the centre of southern Africa
's first gold rush
, and is still surrounded by old and abandoned mines
.
The City of Francistown is an administrative district, separated from North-East District. It is administered by Francistown City Council.
, bringing their culture and influence to the Kalanga
area of north-eastern Botswana. Reportedly, Nyangabgwe was the nearest village to Francistown to have been visited by Europeans, when it was visited by Robert Moffat
. Moffat was followed in 1867 by a gold prospector, Karl Mauch
who found gold along the Tati River.
The present town was founded in 1897, as a settlement near the Monarch mine and named after Daniel Francis, an English
prospector
who acquired prospecting licences in the region in 1869. Francis was a director of the Tati Concessions Company
, who owned all the land in the settlement. The centre of the new town was formed when the company sold off 300 lots in August of that year. The Monarch mine was not the only mine in operation at that time, and it was widely believed that Francistown would grow rapidly.
In the beginning, the town comprised one street east of, and parallel to the railway line. This street featured a several companies, including a hotel
, retail and wholesale shops and three banks. Behind these were the houses of the few white settlers. Segregated
areas were made for mixed race and black people in the satellite township and between the railway and the river respectively.
After Botswana
gained its independence in 1966, Francistown was no longer segregated.
In 1997 the town became a city, being the second largest city.
and agriculture
are important. Principal mining companies include Tati Nickel, owned by Norilsk Nickel, which has operations at the Selkirk Mine and Phoenix Mine, producing principally cobalt
, copper
and nickel
. The Dumela Industrial Complex, an industrial park
, is an important employer; the Botswana Metal Refinery was being built in 2008 near the city. However, the project was halted due to high costs.
The Bakalanga
, the second largest ethnic group
in Botswana
are traditionally centred around the town and the surrounding area. Recently, the city has seen a large influx of illegal immigrants from neighbouring Zimbabwe
.
, Barcelos
, Debonairs Pizza, Milky Lane and many more. These provide a variety of cuisine for the different taste buds of the city's visitors as well as inhabitants. Clubs like Francistown Rugby Club host different weekend events that are eye-catching to any age group. There are also several night clubs in the city that cater for the city's night revelers like Lizard Entertainment.
. There is a mosque a few meters from the city center in the quiet Town Center Residencies that serves the Muslim population. Other worship venues in the city include the Zion Christian Church (ZCC), Christ Embassy and many others. With these choices, visitors and inhabitants are offered a variety of worship places.
in 1973. There are currently two senior secondary schools in Francistown, being Mater Spei College, partly ran by the Roman Catholic Church
and Francistown Senior Secondary School, opened in 1978 and currently enrolling 1200 students. Located in the history-rich township of Aerodrome, it is one of the largest institutions in the city.
The Francistown College of Technical and Vocational Education officially opened by President Ian Khama
on 10 October 2008. The college was built in order to accommodate 1,500 learners on technical and vocational courses and teacher-training programmes. The college buildings are situated amongst a 4 hectares (9.9 acre) area in the suburbs of Gerald Estates. It also hosts the Institute of Health Sciences, which is located near the Nyangabwe Referral Hospital.
in Zimbabwe
via Bulawayo
. The same line links Francistown with the capital city Gaborone
and Lobatse in the south. Surfaced roads link the city to Ramokgwebana
in the north, and to Kazungula
as well as Kasane
via Nata
.
The city is served by Francistown Airport
, a domestic airport with two runways located around 2 kilometres (1.2 mi) from the city. In 2003, it had a total passenger throughput of 29,223. Another airport, Francistown International Airport was opened on the 9th of September 2011 after being built at a tune of P596 million, officially opened by Minister of Transport, Frank Ramsden. With a terminal building designated for traffic forecast of up to 2025, it has a larger capacity and has replaced the old airport, which is now used by the Botswana Defence Force
's Air Arm.
, ECCO City Greens FC, reat North Tigers (GNT)] and others. All the above have played in the country's highest league, Botswana Premier League, sponsored currently by BeMobile. GNT was recently promoted to the Premier League while TAFIC play in the lower division. Francistown Stadium
is still under construction and will be complete soon. The stadium will be the largest in the northern part of Botswana with capacity of 27,000 and will be home ground to some of these teams. Other stadiums in the city include the Francistown City Council's Area S stadium.
Botswana
Botswana, officially the Republic of Botswana , is a landlocked country located in Southern Africa. The citizens are referred to as "Batswana" . Formerly the British protectorate of Bechuanaland, Botswana adopted its new name after becoming independent within the Commonwealth on 30 September 1966...
, with a population of about 85,363, and often described as the "Capital of the North". It is located in eastern Botswana, about 400 kilometres (248.5 mi) north-northeast from the capital, Gaborone
Gaborone
' is the capital and largest city of Botswana with a population of 191,776 based on a 2006 survey, about 10% of the total population of Botswana....
. Francistown is located at the confluence of the Tati and Inchwe rivers, and near the Shashe River
Shashe River
The Shashe River is a major left-bank tributary of the Limpopo River in Zimbabwe.It rises northwest of Francistown, Botswana and flows into the Limpopo River where Botswana, Zimbabwe and South Africa meet, site of the Shalimpo Transfrontier Conservation Area.- Hydrology :The Shashe River is a...
(tributary
Tributary
A tributary or affluent is a stream or river that flows into a main stem river or a lake. A tributary does not flow directly into a sea or ocean...
to the Limpopo
Limpopo River
The Limpopo River rises in central southern Africa, and flows generally eastwards to the Indian Ocean. It is around long, with a drainage basin in size. Its mean annual discharge is 170 m³/s at its mouth...
) and 90 kilometres from the international border with Zimbabwe
Zimbabwe
Zimbabwe is a landlocked country located in the southern part of the African continent, between the Zambezi and Limpopo rivers. It is bordered by South Africa to the south, Botswana to the southwest, Zambia and a tip of Namibia to the northwest and Mozambique to the east. Zimbabwe has three...
. Francistown was the centre of southern Africa
Africa
Africa is the world's second largest and second most populous continent, after Asia. At about 30.2 million km² including adjacent islands, it covers 6% of the Earth's total surface area and 20.4% of the total land area...
's first gold rush
Gold rush
A gold rush is a period of feverish migration of workers to an area that has had a dramatic discovery of gold. Major gold rushes took place in the 19th century in Australia, Brazil, Canada, South Africa, and the United States, while smaller gold rushes took place elsewhere.In the 19th and early...
, and is still surrounded by old and abandoned mines
Mining
Mining is the extraction of valuable minerals or other geological materials from the earth, from an ore body, vein or seam. The term also includes the removal of soil. Materials recovered by mining include base metals, precious metals, iron, uranium, coal, diamonds, limestone, oil shale, rock...
.
The City of Francistown is an administrative district, separated from North-East District. It is administered by Francistown City Council.
History
Although evidence of habitation by humans goes back around 10,000 years, written evidence is more recent. The Ndebele came through the area in the 1830s on their way to BulawayoBulawayo
Bulawayo is the second largest city in Zimbabwe after the capital Harare, with an estimated population in 2010 of 2,000,000. It is located in Matabeleland, 439 km southwest of Harare, and is now treated as a separate provincial area from Matabeleland...
, bringing their culture and influence to the Kalanga
Kalanga
Kalanga may refer to:* BaKalanga people* Kalanga language* Kalanga, Togo...
area of north-eastern Botswana. Reportedly, Nyangabgwe was the nearest village to Francistown to have been visited by Europeans, when it was visited by Robert Moffat
Robert Moffat
Robert Moffat was a Scottish Congregationalist missionary to Africa, and father in law of David Livingstone....
. Moffat was followed in 1867 by a gold prospector, Karl Mauch
Karl Mauch
Karl Gottlieb Mauch Stuttgart was a German explorer and geographer of Africa. He reported on the archaeological ruins of Great Zimbabwe in 1871...
who found gold along the Tati River.
The present town was founded in 1897, as a settlement near the Monarch mine and named after Daniel Francis, an English
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
prospector
Prospecting
Prospecting is the physical search for minerals, fossils, precious metals or mineral specimens, and is also known as fossicking.Prospecting is a small-scale form of mineral exploration which is an organised, large scale effort undertaken by mineral resource companies to find commercially viable ore...
who acquired prospecting licences in the region in 1869. Francis was a director of the Tati Concessions Company
Tati Concessions Land
The Tati Concessions Land was a concession created in the borderlands of the Matabele kingdom and the Bechuanaland Protectorate. The concession was originally made by the Matabele King to Sir John Swinburne...
, who owned all the land in the settlement. The centre of the new town was formed when the company sold off 300 lots in August of that year. The Monarch mine was not the only mine in operation at that time, and it was widely believed that Francistown would grow rapidly.
In the beginning, the town comprised one street east of, and parallel to the railway line. This street featured a several companies, including a hotel
Hotel
A hotel is an establishment that provides paid lodging on a short-term basis. The provision of basic accommodation, in times past, consisting only of a room with a bed, a cupboard, a small table and a washstand has largely been replaced by rooms with modern facilities, including en-suite bathrooms...
, retail and wholesale shops and three banks. Behind these were the houses of the few white settlers. Segregated
Racial segregation
Racial segregation is the separation of humans into racial groups in daily life. It may apply to activities such as eating in a restaurant, drinking from a water fountain, using a public toilet, attending school, going to the movies, or in the rental or purchase of a home...
areas were made for mixed race and black people in the satellite township and between the railway and the river respectively.
After Botswana
Botswana
Botswana, officially the Republic of Botswana , is a landlocked country located in Southern Africa. The citizens are referred to as "Batswana" . Formerly the British protectorate of Bechuanaland, Botswana adopted its new name after becoming independent within the Commonwealth on 30 September 1966...
gained its independence in 1966, Francistown was no longer segregated.
In 1997 the town became a city, being the second largest city.
Mining
Francistown is located on Botswana's main air and road transport routes; miningMining
Mining is the extraction of valuable minerals or other geological materials from the earth, from an ore body, vein or seam. The term also includes the removal of soil. Materials recovered by mining include base metals, precious metals, iron, uranium, coal, diamonds, limestone, oil shale, rock...
and agriculture
Agriculture
Agriculture is the cultivation of animals, plants, fungi and other life forms for food, fiber, and other products used to sustain life. Agriculture was the key implement in the rise of sedentary human civilization, whereby farming of domesticated species created food surpluses that nurtured the...
are important. Principal mining companies include Tati Nickel, owned by Norilsk Nickel, which has operations at the Selkirk Mine and Phoenix Mine, producing principally cobalt
Cobalt
Cobalt is a chemical element with symbol Co and atomic number 27. It is found naturally only in chemically combined form. The free element, produced by reductive smelting, is a hard, lustrous, silver-gray metal....
, copper
Copper
Copper is a chemical element with the symbol Cu and atomic number 29. It is a ductile metal with very high thermal and electrical conductivity. Pure copper is soft and malleable; an exposed surface has a reddish-orange tarnish...
and nickel
Nickel
Nickel is a chemical element with the chemical symbol Ni and atomic number 28. It is a silvery-white lustrous metal with a slight golden tinge. Nickel belongs to the transition metals and is hard and ductile...
. The Dumela Industrial Complex, an industrial park
Industrial park
An industrial park is an area zoned and planned for the purpose of industrial development...
, is an important employer; the Botswana Metal Refinery was being built in 2008 near the city. However, the project was halted due to high costs.
Demographics and health
Ever since the founding of Francistown as a gold mining and railway centre in the nineteenth century, the city‟s population has consistently shown a steady increase. Francistown is Botswana‟s second largest city with 22.7% of the country‟s urban population in 1991. The growth of Selebi-Phikwe, Orapa and Jwaneng since 1971, together with the very rapid growth of Gaborone, has reduced Francistown‟s share of the total urban population from a figure of 34.7% in 1971. In the same period (1971-1991), the country‟s urban population grew by 427.2% from 54 411 to a population of 287 063.The Bakalanga
BaKalanga
The Kalanga, also known as the Bakalanga are one of the first Bantu speaking tribes to migrate to present day Botswana, followed by the Bakgalagadi and then the Batswana . The Kalanga had first settled in Mapungubwe in South Africa, the first Kalanga state. They later moved to the Great Zimbabwe...
, the second largest ethnic group
Ethnic group
An ethnic group is a group of people whose members identify with each other, through a common heritage, often consisting of a common language, a common culture and/or an ideology that stresses common ancestry or endogamy...
in Botswana
Botswana
Botswana, officially the Republic of Botswana , is a landlocked country located in Southern Africa. The citizens are referred to as "Batswana" . Formerly the British protectorate of Bechuanaland, Botswana adopted its new name after becoming independent within the Commonwealth on 30 September 1966...
are traditionally centred around the town and the surrounding area. Recently, the city has seen a large influx of illegal immigrants from neighbouring Zimbabwe
Zimbabwe
Zimbabwe is a landlocked country located in the southern part of the African continent, between the Zambezi and Limpopo rivers. It is bordered by South Africa to the south, Botswana to the southwest, Zambia and a tip of Namibia to the northwest and Mozambique to the east. Zimbabwe has three...
.
| Year | Population | %+ |
|---|---|---|
| 1964 | 9521 | |
| 1971 | 18612 | 95 |
| 1981 | 31065 | 65 |
| 1991 | 38524 | 29 |
| 2001 | 84406 | 110 |
Culture and tourism
Francistown is home to the Supa Ngwao Museum, with exhibits related to the area's history and heritage. The museum, which receives most of its funds from the government, is currently going through refurbishment as of October 2011. A new nature reserve, Tachila, has been established 5 kilometres (3.1 mi) from central Francistown on an old Tati Company Farm, Lady Mary. The nature reserve is expected to be a tourism turn-over for the already flourishing city which its variety of wild animals.Accommodation and Lifestyle
Francistown is home to several hotels and lodges like Cresta Thapama Hotel, Marang Hotel, Adansonia Hotel, Tati River Lodge which can provide stopover accommodation for tourist traveling through the city. With these are a variety of guest houses like Francistown Guest House, also known as Emoyo Villa. Emoyo Villa is located in the serene neighbourhood of Tati River South Molapo, in Molapo Estates. It is, as many know it, the heart and soul of the city. There are several high class restaurants and eateries like Spur's, KFCKFC
KFC, founded and also known as Kentucky Fried Chicken, is a chain of fast food restaurants based in Louisville, Kentucky, in the United States. KFC has been a brand and operating segment, termed a concept of Yum! Brands since 1997 when that company was spun off from PepsiCo as Tricon Global...
, Barcelos
Barcelos
Barcelos Municipality is located in Braga District, in the north of Portugal. It has a total population of 123,831 and an area of 378.9 km². With 89 parishes, it is the municipality with the highest number of parishes in the country, as well as the city of Barcelos...
, Debonairs Pizza, Milky Lane and many more. These provide a variety of cuisine for the different taste buds of the city's visitors as well as inhabitants. Clubs like Francistown Rugby Club host different weekend events that are eye-catching to any age group. There are also several night clubs in the city that cater for the city's night revelers like Lizard Entertainment.
Religion
The city is the home to the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Desert, which is the seat of the Apostolic Vicariate of FrancistownApostolic Vicariate of Francistown
The Apostolic Vicariate of Francistown is a Roman Catholic apostolic Vicariate located in the city of Francistown, Botswana, in the Ecclesiastical province of Pretoria in South Africa.-History:...
. There is a mosque a few meters from the city center in the quiet Town Center Residencies that serves the Muslim population. Other worship venues in the city include the Zion Christian Church (ZCC), Christ Embassy and many others. With these choices, visitors and inhabitants are offered a variety of worship places.
Education
The Francistown Teacher Training College became one of the campuses of the University of BotswanaUniversity of Botswana
The University of Botswana, or UB was established in 1982 as the first institution of higher education in Botswana. The university has four campuses: two in the capital city Gaborone, one in Francistown, and another in Maun. The university is divided into six faculties: Business, Education,...
in 1973. There are currently two senior secondary schools in Francistown, being Mater Spei College, partly ran by the Roman Catholic Church
Roman Catholic Church
The Catholic Church, also known as the Roman Catholic Church, is the world's largest Christian church, with over a billion members. Led by the Pope, it defines its mission as spreading the gospel of Jesus Christ, administering the sacraments and exercising charity...
and Francistown Senior Secondary School, opened in 1978 and currently enrolling 1200 students. Located in the history-rich township of Aerodrome, it is one of the largest institutions in the city.
The Francistown College of Technical and Vocational Education officially opened by President Ian Khama
Ian Khama
Lieutenant General Seretse Khama Ian Khama is a Botswana politician who has been the President of Botswana since 2008; he is also the Paramount Chief of the Bamangwato tribe...
on 10 October 2008. The college was built in order to accommodate 1,500 learners on technical and vocational courses and teacher-training programmes. The college buildings are situated amongst a 4 hectares (9.9 acre) area in the suburbs of Gerald Estates. It also hosts the Institute of Health Sciences, which is located near the Nyangabwe Referral Hospital.
Transport and Infrastructure
The city is a major transport hub. A railway line links the city with HarareHarare
Harare before 1982 known as Salisbury) is the largest city and capital of Zimbabwe. It has an estimated population of 1,600,000, with 2,800,000 in its metropolitan area . Administratively, Harare is an independent city equivalent to a province. It is Zimbabwe's largest city and its...
in Zimbabwe
Zimbabwe
Zimbabwe is a landlocked country located in the southern part of the African continent, between the Zambezi and Limpopo rivers. It is bordered by South Africa to the south, Botswana to the southwest, Zambia and a tip of Namibia to the northwest and Mozambique to the east. Zimbabwe has three...
via Bulawayo
Bulawayo
Bulawayo is the second largest city in Zimbabwe after the capital Harare, with an estimated population in 2010 of 2,000,000. It is located in Matabeleland, 439 km southwest of Harare, and is now treated as a separate provincial area from Matabeleland...
. The same line links Francistown with the capital city Gaborone
Gaborone
' is the capital and largest city of Botswana with a population of 191,776 based on a 2006 survey, about 10% of the total population of Botswana....
and Lobatse in the south. Surfaced roads link the city to Ramokgwebana
Ramokgwebana
Ramokgwebana is a town in the North-East District of Botswana, close to the eastern border. On the other side is Plumtree, Zimbabwe. The town lies on the railway connection between Francistown and Bulawayo, Zimbabwe....
in the north, and to Kazungula
Kazungula
Kazungula is a small border town in the Southern Province of Zambia, lying on the north bank of the Zambezi River about 70 km west of Livingstone, at an almost quadripoint where four countries nearly meet...
as well as Kasane
Kasane
Kasane is a town in Botswana, close to Africa's 'Four Corners', where four countries almost meet: Botswana, Namibia, Zambia and Zimbabwe. It is at the far north-eastern corner of Botswana where it serves as the administrative center of the Chobe District...
via Nata
Nata
Nata is a small village in the Paphos area of southwest Cyprus. It is a small relatively unspoilt traditional village situated on the south-eastern hillside of the Xeros River Valley with approximately 300 residents that is slowly growing due to the number of foreigners wanting to live there. The...
.
The city is served by Francistown Airport
Francistown Airport
Francistown Airport is a public airport in Francistown, Botswana . It has two runways, one paved and one not, and most flights fly for the airline Air Botswana.-Expansion:...
, a domestic airport with two runways located around 2 kilometres (1.2 mi) from the city. In 2003, it had a total passenger throughput of 29,223. Another airport, Francistown International Airport was opened on the 9th of September 2011 after being built at a tune of P596 million, officially opened by Minister of Transport, Frank Ramsden. With a terminal building designated for traffic forecast of up to 2025, it has a larger capacity and has replaced the old airport, which is now used by the Botswana Defence Force
Botswana Defence Force
The Botswana Defence Force is the military of Botswana. It was formed in 1977 and has approximately 9,000 members. The commander is Lieutenant General Tebogo Masire. The commander in chief is the President of Botswana...
's Air Arm.
Malls and Plazas
- Francistown/New Mall
- Blue Jacket Shopping Centre (Shoprite Complex)
- Blue Jacket Square (Supreme Furnishers Complex)
- Barclays Plaza
- Nzano Center
- The Village Mall(Diggers Inn)
- Galo Shopping Centre
- Golden Valley Mall (Marang Superspar Complex)
- Nswazwi Shopping Centre
Sports
There are several football clubs that are based in Francistown. These include TAFIC Sporting Club, TASC FCTASC FC
TASC FC is a football club from Botswana based in Francistown.TASC was originally called Army Zebras Football Club and was formed in 1983 by Mr. Leshongwane, Mike Molefe and Motang. The club is popularly known as Tongo Boys or TASC Confidence...
, ECCO City Greens FC, reat North Tigers (GNT)] and others. All the above have played in the country's highest league, Botswana Premier League, sponsored currently by BeMobile. GNT was recently promoted to the Premier League while TAFIC play in the lower division. Francistown Stadium
Francistown Stadium
Francistown Stadium is a multi-use stadium in Francistown, Botswana, that is currently under construction. Once completed in 2009, it will be used mostly for football matches and will host the home matches of TAFIC. The stadium will have a capacity of 27,000 people.-External links:*...
is still under construction and will be complete soon. The stadium will be the largest in the northern part of Botswana with capacity of 27,000 and will be home ground to some of these teams. Other stadiums in the city include the Francistown City Council's Area S stadium.