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Lobatse
Located in
Botswana :: Southern Botswana/Gaborone
:: Lobatse
Category:
Places :: Town
In the 18th century the Bangwaketse tribe settled in the valleys of the Lobatse Region, naming it after their leader, Kgosi Molebatsi. In 1895 the village formed part of the Lobatse Block, an area set aside by the British Government for use by Cecil John Rhode’s British South Africa Company (BSACO) for the establishment of a railway line running from Cape Town to Cairo.
With the establishment of the railway station in 1897, the village expanded rapidly, eventually becoming a cattle trading post with its own abattoir. The village was the prinicipal town in British Bechuanaland until 1966 when Gaborone became the new capital of independent Botswana; Lobatse was selected to be the seat of the judicial system.
With a population of almost 30 000 people, the town is home to the High Court, the Department of Geological Surveys, the Meat Commission and the only mental institution in Botswana, the Sbrana Psychiatric Hospital.
Traveller DescriptionLobatse is located near the South African border and, because of its position on the railway line, several political refugees from African countries found shelter here. These struggle icons include former presidents Nelson Mandela and Thabo Mbeki from South Africa, and former president Samora Machel from Mozambique. The Kgaboesele family home where they stayed, today is a museum.
The Lobatse hinge-back tortoise (Kinixys lobatsiana) occurs in the northern parts of South Africa and the valleys surrounding Lobatse.
| Address : | Lobatse, Southern Botswana/Gaborone, Botswana | ||
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| Cellphone Reception : | Good | Main Cellular Network : | Mascom. Orange. Be Mobile |
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| Hospital Telephone : | +267 533 0333 (Athlone Hospital) |
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| Towing Service Telephone : | +267 77 097 527( Kagiso Tow-in Services and Recovery) |
| Petrol Type : | LRP/ ULP |
| Other Facilities : | Government Services. |
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| Closest Main Route : | A2 |
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BORDER POSTS:
Lobatse is 8km from the Pioneer Gate/ Skilpadshek Border Post between Botswana and South Africa.
SHOPS & SERVICES:
The town has several fuel stations, banks, a Choppies and a Pick ‘n Pay Supermarket.
The Cumberland Hotel is one of the oldest landmarks in Botswana. While Gaborone was being developed in the 60s, this venue offered entertainment for its new residents in the form of decent meals and a film show. The hotel has remained unchanged but offers modern conveniences such as Wi-Fi, a swimming pool, air-conditioning and satellite TV. Weary travellers can enjoy a cold drink in the garden, in the shade of an enormous Pride of Bolivia (Tipuana tipu) tree, considered to be the oldest tree in Lobatse.
“Lobatse is a town 80 km north of Mafikeng in Botswana. It was established early in the 20th century by the British South Africa Company.The Tswana name means ‘lumps of wood’, referring to the hills in the vicinity that look like lumps of wood.” - Chris Smit, 2024/08/16
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