Francistown

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Francistown is the second largest city in Botswana, with a population of about 113,315 (urban area - census 2001), and often described as the "Capital of the North". It is located in eastern Botswana, about 400 kilometres 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 center of southern Africa's first gold rush, and is still surrounded by old and abandoned mines.

1 History
2 Economy
3 Demographics and health
4 Culture
5 Education
6 Infrastructure
7 Malls and Plazas
8 See also
9 References
10 External links

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History

Although evidence of habitation by humans goes back around 80,000 years, written evidence is more recent. The Ndebele came through the area in the 1820s on their way to Bulawayo, 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 by a gold prospector, Karl Mauch who, in 1867, found gold along the Tati River.

The current city was founded in 1897, as a settlement near the Monarch mine. The city is named after Daniel Francis, an English prospector who acquired prospecting licenses 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 coloured 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.

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Economy

Francistown is located on Botswana's main air and road transport routes; mining and agriculture are important. Principal mining companies include Tati Nickel,owned by Norilsk Nickel,<ref>Norilsk Nickel Africa</ref> which has operations at the Selkirk Mine and Phoenix Mine, producing principally cobalt, copper and nickel.<ref>Tati Nickel, Mining Weekly, Mar. 17, 2007</ref> The Dumela Industrial Complex, an industrial park, is an important employer; as of 2008 the Botswana Metal Refinery ~~is under construction near the city and is to be operated in conjunction with Tati<ref>allAfrica.com: Botswana: P3bn Tati Project Crashes (Page 1 of 1)</ref>~~.[1] Francistown media includes Botswana's The Voice newspaper.

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Demographics and health

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.<ref> South African Migration Project. Security operation starts in Francistown, (Mmegi, 2006-03-28</ref> Incidence of HIV in Francistown has been estimated to be as high as 40 percent.<ref>Michael Pacione (1999) Applied Geography: Principles and Practice : an Introduction to Useful Research in Physical, Environmental and Human Geography, Published by Routledge, ISBN 041521419X, 9780415214193 632 pages</ref>

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Culture

Francistown is home to the Supa Ngwao Museum, with exhibits related to the area's history and heritage.A new nature reserve, Tachila, has been established 5km from central francistown on an old Tati Company Farm, Lady Mary. Construction of a lodge and accommodation is underway as of 2008.[2] The city is the home of the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Desert, which is the seat of the Apostolic Vicariate of Francistown.

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Education

The Francistown Teacher Training College became one of the campuses of the University of Botswana in 1973. [3] Francistown Senior Secondary School opened in 1978 and currently enrolls 1200 students.<ref>Francistown Senior Secondary School</ref>

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Infrastructure

The city is a major transport hub. A railway line links the city with Harare in Zimbabwe via Bulawayo. The same line links Francistown with Gaborone in the south. Surfaced roads link the city to Lobatse in the south, and Ramokgwebana in the north, and to Kazungula via Nata.

The city is served by Francistown Airport, a domestic airport with 2 runways located around 2km (1 mi.) from the city. In 2003, it had a total passenger throughput of 29,223.

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