Central District (Botswana)

Last updated
Central
BotswanaSeroweWaterhole.jpg
Waterhole in Serowe
Botswana - Central.svg
Location within Botswana
Coordinates: 22°00′S26°00′E / 22.000°S 26.000°E / -22.000; 26.000
Country Flag of Botswana.svg  Botswana
Capital Serowe
Area
  Total147,730 km2 (57,040 sq mi)
Population
 (2011 census)
  Total638,604
  Density4.3/km2 (11/sq mi)
Time zone UTC+2 (Central Africa Time)
HDI (2019)0.712 [1]
high · 6th

Central is the largest of Botswana's districts in terms of area and population. It encompasses the traditional homeland of the Bamangwato people. Some of the most politically connected Batswana have come from the Central District, including former President Sir Seretse Khama, former President Festus Mogae, and former President Lt. General Seretse Ian Khama. The district borders the Botswanan districts of Chobe in the north, North-West in the northwest, Ghanzi in the west, Kweneng in southwest, Kgatleng in the south and North-East in the northeast, as well as Zimbabwe also in the northeast (Matabeleland North and Matabeleland South Provinces) and South Africa in the southeast (Limpopo Province).

Contents

As of 2011, the total population of the district was 576,064 compared to 501,381 in 2001. The growth rate of population during the decade was 1.40. The population in the district was 28.45 per cent of the total population in the country. Main population centers in Central include Palapye and Serowe, two of Africa's largest traditional villages. The district also contains tributaries of the Limpopo River, which are prone to flash floods when sudden rainstorms drain eastward into the Limpopo. The district is administered by a district administration and district council which are responsible for local administration. The total number of workers constituted 186,943 with 95,717 males and 91,221 females, with a majority working in transport and communication sector.

Geography

Wildlife around Boteti river Jirafas en el Parque Nacional Makdikgadi, Botswana.jpg
Wildlife around Boteti river

In the northeast, Central borders Zimbabwe's Matabeleland North and Matabeleland South Provinces, and in the southeast Central borders South Africa's Limpopo Province. It borders North-East in the northeast, Kgatleng in the south, Kweneng in southwest, Ghanzi in the North and North-West in the northwest direction. The major tourists attractions and game areas in the district along with the Eastern region are Francistown, Selebi-Phikwe, Solomon's Wall, Lepokole Hills, Tswapong Hills, Moremi Gorge, Motlhabaneng Rock Paintings, Letsibogo Dam, Khama Rhino Sanctuary, Shoshong Hills, Khama III Memorial Museum, Supa Ngwao Museum, Khama Royal Residence and Cemetery and Mashatu Game Reserve. [2]

Most part of Botswana has tableland slopes sliding from east to west. The region has an average elevation of around 915 m (3,002 ft) above the mean sea level. The vegetation type is Savannah, with tall grasses, bushes and trees. The annual precipitation is around 65 cm (26 in), most of which is received during the summer season from November to May. Most of the rivers in the region are seasonal, with Limpopo River, which are prone to flash floods, being the most prominent. [3] There are conflicts between agricultural expansion and protection of indigenous wildlife within the Central District. There are several seasonal rivers in the district including the Boteti River and the Lepashe River, whose flows in the rainy season reach the Makgadikgadi Pans. [4]

Demographics

Historical population
YearPop.±%
1981323,329    
1991430,332+33.1%
2001501,381+16.5%
2011576,064+14.9%
Sources: [5]

As of 2011, the total population of the district was 576,064 compared to 501,381 in 2001. The growth rate of population during the decade was 1.40. The population in the district was 28.45 per cent of the total population in the country. The sex ratio stood at 94.01 for every 100 males, compared to 91.82 in 2001. The average house hold size was 3.37 in 2011 compared to 4.51 in 2001. There were 18,838 craft and related workers; 5,678 clerks; 35,256 people working in elementary occupation; 2,359 legislators, administrators and managers; 5,921 plant and machine operators and assemblers; 3,022 professionals; 12,864 service workers, shop and market sales workers; 9,019 skilled agricultural and related workers; and 7,325 technicians and associated professionals, making the total work force of 101,149. [5]

Education and economy

Aerial view of Boteti river Boteti River, Botswana.jpg
Aerial view of Boteti river

As of 2011, there were a total of 264 schools in the district, with 23.30 per cent private schools. The total number of students in the Council schools was 113,632, while it was 3,848 in private schools. The total number of students enrolled in the district was 117,480: 57,378 girls and 60,102 boys. The total number of qualified teachers was 4,585, 3,441 female and 1,144 male. There were around 132 temporary teachers, 69 male and 201 female. There were no untrained teachers in the district. [6]

As of 2006, 80,594 were involved in agriculture, 8,423 in construction, 14,237 in education, 1,165 in electricity and water, 1,034 in finance, 49 in foreign mission, 4,396 in health, 4,218 in hotels and restaurants, 10,664 in manufacturing, 4,900 in mining and quarrying, 2,894 in other community services, 8,385 in private households, 16,022 in public administration, 4,489 in real estate, 3,927 in transport and communications, and 21,546 in wholesale and retail trade. The total number of workers was 186,943, 95,717 male and 91,221 female. [7]

Administration

Botswana gained independence from the British in 1966 and adapted the colonial administration framework to form its district administration. The policies were modified during 1970-74 to address some of the basic issues. [8] The district is administered by a district administration and district council which are responsible for local administration. The policies for the administration are framed by the Ministry of Local Government. The major activities of the council are Tribal Administration, Remote Area Development and Local Governance. The executive powers of the council are vested on a commissioner appointed by the central government. Technical services wing of the Department of Local Government is responsible for developing roads, infrastructure in villages like water supply, schools and recreational facilities. [9] All the staff of the local administration expect District Administration are selected via Unified Local Government Services (ULGS) and the Ministry of Local Government is responsible for their training, deployment and career development. [10] The six sub-districts of Central District created as a part of National Development Park of the district are Bobonong, Boteti, Mahalapye, Orapa, Serowe Palapye and Tutume. [11]

Villages

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Geography of Botswana</span>

Botswana is a landlocked country located in Southern Africa, north of South Africa. Botswana occupies an area of 581,730 square kilometres (224,610 sq mi), of which 566,730 km2 (218,820 sq mi) are land. Botswana has land boundaries of combined length 4,347.15 kilometres (2,701.19 mi), of which the constituent boundaries are shared with Namibia, for 1,544 km (959 mi); South Africa 1,969 km (1,223 mi); Zimbabwe, 834 km (518 mi) and Zambia, 0.15 km (0.093 mi). Much of the population of Botswana is concentrated in the eastern part of the country.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Seretse Khama</span> First President of Botswana from 1966 to 1980

Sir Seretse Goitsebeng Maphiri Khama, GCB, KBE was a Botswanan politician who served as the first President of Botswana, a post he held from 1966 to his death in 1980.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kgalagadi District</span> District in Botswana

Kgalagadi is a district in southwest Botswana, lying along the country's border with Namibia and South Africa. The administrative center is Tsabong. The district of Kgalagadi covers a large part of the Kalahari Desert. It has a total area of 105,200 km² and has a population of 42,000 (2001). More than one-third of the district is covered by the Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park, which extends into South Africa, and which is a major tourist attraction.

Serowe is an urban village in Botswana's Central District. A trade and commercial centre, it is Botswana's third largest village. Serowe has played an important role in Botswana's history, as capital for the Bamangwato people in the early 20th century and as birthplace of several of Botswana's presidents. More recently it has undergone significant development as the town and as Botswana continues to grow.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Palapye</span> Town in Central District, Botswana

Palapye is a growing town in Botswana, situated about halfway between Francistown and Gaborone. Over the years its position has made it a convenient stopover on one of Southern Africa's principal north–south rail and road routes.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ghanzi District</span> District in Botswana

Ghanzi is a district in western Botswana, bordering Namibia in the west and extending east into much of the interior of the country. The district's administrative centre is the town of Ghanzi. Most of the eastern half of Ghanzi makes up the Central Kalahari Game Reserve. The human population at the 2001 census was 43,370, less populous than that of any other district in Botswana. Ghanzi's area is 117,910 km².

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Southern District (Botswana)</span> District in Botswana

Southern is one of the districts of Botswana. The capital of Southern district is Kanye, home to the Bangwaketse and Barolong in Botswana. The Southern district is home to Botswana's second largest beef farmers where there are large privately owned ranges, and several government run beef ranges which provide agricultural support to the local farmers. Maize and sorghum, Botswana's staple crop, are also raised in the area. Southern district is where the third diamond mine of Botswana was found, which buoys Botswana's economic state of prosperity. It was the first district to house the capital city before being moved to Gaborone after independence.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">North-East District (Botswana)</span> District in Botswana

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kweneng District</span> District in Botswana

Kweneng is one of the districts of Botswana and is the recent historical homeland of the Bakwena people, the first group in Botswana converted to Christianity by famed missionary David Livingstone. Various landmarks, including Livingstone's Cave, allude to this history. The seat of the district's government is Molepolole, Botswana's most populous village.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">North-West District (Botswana)</span> District in Botswana

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kgatleng District</span> District in Botswana

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">South-East District (Botswana)</span> District in Botswana

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sub-districts of Botswana</span>

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">1965 Bechuanaland general election</span>

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References

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