19 Apr 2022

The monument that commemorates the three chiefs who travelled to Britain in 1895 to plead not to be incorporated into the exploitative British South Africa Company receives the highest number of tourists in Gaborone monthly.

Located on the northern side of the new Central Business District, the bronze sculpture monument of Khama III of Bangwato, Sebele I of Bakwena and Bathoen I of Bangwaketse receives over 6 000 tourists a month.

Inaugurated by former president Festus Mogae in 2005, the three chiefs monument attracted over 800 visitors a month when it was first opened 17 years ago.

The custodian of the most visited tourist attraction in Gaborone, Onthusitse Ojang said although the numbers had dropped due to COVID-19, he was confident that they would rise again as restrictions were gradually being eased.

“Before the pandemic we hosted between 1 000 and 6 000 people a month and we have realised that tourists enjoy listening to the three dikgosi story as we narrate it,” he said.

What has impressed him is how Batswana have frequented the monument during the lockdown when there were no external tourists.

He said Batswana had learnt to appreciate their own tourist attractions and that since January they had hosted more than 150 locals per month, adding that the numbers were growing.

He also said the three chiefs monument marketed Botswana outside the country because tourists narrated their story when they got home. “They share the story and it brings more tourists and this helps to boost the economy,” he said.

He noted that they had hosted tourists from as far as the United States of America, Asia, United Kingdom, Australia, Germany and many other countries.

He also said April was the peak season for the Three Dikgosi Monument.

Masego Kavei from Kaputura in Okavango said the Three Dikgosi Monument was famous because everyone who came to Gaborone did not want to go back without visiting the place.

She also added that the beauty of the CBD was enhanced by the three dikgosi monument.

The other tourist attractions that people visit while in Gaborone include Gaborone Game Reserve, the National Museum, which is  currently undergoing  renovation, Mokolodi Nature Reserve and the Lion’s Park, which two are located outside the city. ENDs