http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/f/fa/Flag_of_Botswana.svg/125px-Flag_of_Botswana.svg.png


http://www.worldatlas.com/webimage/countrys/africa/bwnewzz.gif

--------------------


http://static.flickr.com/109/255543136_6c73fe47ae_o.jpg

http://static.flickr.com/49/135029750_c8cf0187fa_b.jpg

http://static.flickr.com/50/135033669_3b34a9f4fc_b.jpg

http://static.flickr.com/29/41938615_6a5becef61_b.jpg

The Mall, Gaborone
http://static.flickr.com/29/41938616_4bf34e8943_b.jpg

http://static.flickr.com/64/204385173_e9efd1b1d1_b.jpg

http://www.omniplan.hu/2004-SA/Day17-KhamRhino-Gaborone/P1070855-ModernBuilding.JPG

http://www.omniplan.hu/2004-SA/Day17-KhamRhino-Gaborone/P1070861-TelecomTower.JPG

http://www.omniplan.hu/2004-SA/Day17-KhamRhino-Gaborone/P1070893-DSC09217-OfficeBuilding.JPG

http://www.omniplan.hu/2004-SA/Day17-KhamRhino-Gaborone/P1070893-DSC09222-TelecomBuilding.JPG

http://www.omniplan.hu/2004-SA/Day17-KhamRhino-Gaborone/P1070895-TownCenter.JPG

I didn't follow the whole story of Botswana, but i must say that i really can not stand that kind of aloofness and its just "not African" if you know what i mean. I am South African and i am sure there is a lot of things that i could write about that are better in my country than the rest of the continent, but i don't think this forum is a platform for dissing each other like little school kids crying over whose's toy is bigger . So i read those comments from the Botswana guy with utter shock and disgust.

Botswana has done well in many respects, but it does not give anyone a right to simply spit at other people as if they are sub-human. Even America does not have that right and surprisingly they don't often act like that, so the Botswana guy must really get it together. Botswana is not all glitz and there are well documented problems there just like any other country in Africa. So while i promote constructive debate and criticism on this forums with a view of informing the world and each other about Africa and sharing ideas on how to improve our continent and how to do things better, i condemn some of the arrogance, ignorance and often xenophobic comments made in the SSC forums.

^^ I am sure the reason stormshadow re-introduced this thread is to get away from such discussion by starting all over.

^^ Indeed.


--------------

Here are some recent photos from 2006. The photos above are also from 2005-2006.

http://www.kwangu.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2006/04/IMG_5881.jpg

http://www.kwangu.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2006/04/IMG_5869.jpg

--------------------------------------------------------------------------


Man, I consider myself good at making threads but finding good photos of Gaborone is very difficult, photos are perfect in size and recent is what I like to post, so one can view more detail. I found a recent set that some one uploaded but the photos are very small. :(

Stormshadow, thanx for your efforts taken and for the pics, too!:) I always appreciate your effort:cheers:
Please keep on adding, maybe we can add some Francistown images, too! (but it wouldn´t be appropriate in this section) It is Bots. second largest city, right?

I down my weapons. Lol, on a lighter note, stormshadow, what is the trendy building with light blue and silver finishes (the one at the top of this thread), i like that building. When was it completed.

Botswana is a great country and a great example of what africa can achieve. Thanks so much for starting this thread.

is bostwana a kingdom or a republic?

Republic of course, if it as a kingdom it would be a mess like Swaziland.

Republic of course, if it as a kingdom it would be a mess like Swaliland. Botswana is so successful because it respects the rule of law and has a vibrant democracy.

You are to Blame,...and Botswana hasn´t lost its time with inventing weird ideologies or whatever which was and still is the case for numerous African countries! Please let´s keep on posting Bots. pics. We all enjoy the work done so far.

http://static.flickr.com/34/67642901_aebb9affed_b.jpg
http://static.flickr.com/24/67642904_6abbffd34a_b.jpg
http://static.flickr.com/34/67642898_eafc3885ba_b.jpg

very nice pictures of Botswana. Im sure this country will be the first developed country of Africa in a couple of decades.

"The Mall"
http://farm1.static.flickr.com/106/294382809_452a3e9ff4_o.jpg

Give it another 10 years and I expect Botswana to be a fully deveoped country

More Gabs' pictures

http://img372.imageshack.us/img372/2830/1340851293a5619e3b3ra0.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

http://img412.imageshack.us/img412/7076/134083974f52961d43cto2.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

http://img384.imageshack.us/img384/6272/1340839764daa45388ddz7.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

http://img384.imageshack.us/img384/5148/171187548b9f503f1c9ot1.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

http://img384.imageshack.us/img384/9458/parliamentbwpm2.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

http://img119.imageshack.us/img119/9044/bots22enroute2kh6.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/105/364951102_eaab466057_o.jpg

Grand Palm Hotel
http://farm1.static.flickr.com/185/364987666_4339f01b4a_o.jpg
http://farm1.static.flickr.com/136/364987661_2c481d6b7a_o.jpg
http://farm1.static.flickr.com/120/364951087_1f41d0d4a3_o.jpg
http://farm1.static.flickr.com/161/364951083_1aed9e31d0_o.jpg

Convention Center
http://farm1.static.flickr.com/145/364987674_b095826e95_o.jpg

Casino
http://farm1.static.flickr.com/120/364987677_8f50456bf4_o.jpg
http://farm1.static.flickr.com/133/364992822_3ae8d7818f_o.jpg

http://www.emporis.com/files/transfer/6/2005/12/425700.jpg

A video of Gaborone: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1arLtZFL6lk

And another, this ones just outside of town:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CzW0FasQyqU

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/191/508472000_e9652fbbd3_o.jpg

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/205/508500365_b27411fc63_o.jpg

I really don't know why pics of gabs are so hard to come by...some day I want to visit. If I ever do go, I'll buy a new camera and take literally hundreds of pics just to make up for it, because this country deserves that much.

I really don't know why pics of gabs are so hard to come by...some day I want to visit. If I ever do go, I'll buy a new camera and take literally hundreds of pics just to make up for it, because this country deserves that much.

It is not just Botswana but some others, too! But we are all looking forward to new Gaborone pics!:)

outside Gaborone airporthttp://farm1.static.flickr.com/92/241416831_59c34facb8.jpg?v=0

I've just checked the correct way to pronounce " Ga-bo-roe- neey " :D

A superb capital city of one of the World's Emerging market economies- Botswana is right on the track to achieve advance status :)

http://img165.imageshack.us/img165/6949/botswanagaboronemainmalxy0.jpg

http://img181.imageshack.us/img181/3916/botswanagaboronebeforeaxi5.jpg

http://img181.imageshack.us/img181/5685/botswanagaboronemuseumxj8.jpg

http://img340.imageshack.us/img340/4406/botswanagaboronepeakqi6.jpg

http://img340.imageshack.us/img340/2578/botswanagaboronemainroaoo3.jpg

http://img340.imageshack.us/img340/5158/botswanagaboroneplacern5.jpg

http://img165.imageshack.us/img165/2341/botswanajustoutsidegaboua0.jpg

http://img340.imageshack.us/img340/5818/botswanagaboronesuncitywv2.jpg

http://img340.imageshack.us/img340/5535/botswanagaboronelittlebwc0.jpg

http://img186.imageshack.us/img186/8153/botswanagaboronenearbyamw6.jpg

http://img165.imageshack.us/img165/6550/botswanagaboronehomesa6.jpg

http://img340.imageshack.us/img340/2275/botswanagaboroneparkqf9.jpg

Excellent images Dante. So I gather Gaborone is one of your favorite cities in SSA ?

Excellent images Dante. So I gather Gaborone is one of your favorite cities in SSA ?

Oh, definitely. Botswana in general is one of my favorite countries. If I had to list the cities, it'd go like this:

Gaborone
Windhoek
Swakopmund
Libreville
Nairobi

Gaborone only edges the others out by a little, though; I like the others very much as well. I just wish I could go there and add a ton of pics, not just of gaborone, but also of the whole of Botswana-the place has far too few photos. For that matter, so does Libreville. But alas, no camera and no money.

One day, though. One day.

http://i184.photobucket.com/albums/x31/Upington/Gabs.jpg


http://i184.photobucket.com/albums/x31/Upington/Gabs1.jpg


http://i184.photobucket.com/albums/x31/Upington/Gabs2.jpg


http://i184.photobucket.com/albums/x31/Upington/Gabs3.jpg


http://i184.photobucket.com/albums/x31/Upington/Gabs4.jpg


http://i184.photobucket.com/albums/x31/Upington/Gabs6.jpg


http://i184.photobucket.com/albums/x31/Upington/Gabs5.jpg


http://i184.photobucket.com/albums/x31/Upington/P1010030.jpg


http://i184.photobucket.com/albums/x31/Upington/P1010035.jpg

Wow, upington, great pics, they are new to me! Good post!

i am really liking the new devs in gaborone

The last couple of pics posted by Upington are really amazing, you should make a gallery and post some Gaborone pics in the general section!

Great set of photos Upington! :applause:

I'm aware recent images of Gaborone is difficult to come by, thanks and keep it coming.

Thanks!

A few more pics....

http://i184.photobucket.com/albums/x31/Upington/P1010036.jpg


http://i184.photobucket.com/albums/x31/Upington/P1010032.jpg


http://i184.photobucket.com/albums/x31/Upington/P1010034.jpg


http://i184.photobucket.com/albums/x31/Upington/P1010042.jpg

WOW! Dude, another spectacular job! How are you doing this?!:banana:

Gaborone is beautiful. Sweet Pics.:cheers2:

A few more I found!:banana:

http://img296.imageshack.us/img296/1506/botswanagaboroneroadwaywk8.jpg

http://img530.imageshack.us/img530/7133/botswanaavenueingaboronpi0.jpg

http://img296.imageshack.us/img296/298/botswanagaboronetrafficql2.jpg

http://img523.imageshack.us/img523/6151/botswanagaboroneshoppinwd3.jpg

http://img530.imageshack.us/img530/2712/botswanagaboronenearbyaul1.jpg

http://img530.imageshack.us/img530/1448/botswanagaboroneadminofmg3.jpg

Excellent job you two and thank you! :okay:

Here are some more Gaboronne pictures:)

http://lh3.google.com/dmitry.klinov/RkDpU1ef3wI/AAAAAAAAAJU/z9PlfWN7JVw/DSC00477.JPG?imgmax=800

http://lh4.google.com/dmitry.klinov/RkDpRFef3uI/AAAAAAAAAJE/L9m4Dcy_M_M/DSC00468.JPG?imgmax=800

http://lh3.google.com/cfarness/Ro5ChiZ2pzI/AAAAAAAAAMA/UEr5uZdNH1A/IMAG0129.JPG?imgmax=800

http://lh6.google.com/BobsTour2007/RqYY4WbWoAI/AAAAAAAABIs/sPDM-DKlqVc/IMG_2755.JPG?imgmax=800

PriceWaterHouse Coopers in Gaborone

http://lh4.google.com/BobsTour2007/RqYdv2bWoaI/AAAAAAAABMI/gUTTKMT20mQ/DSC07035.jpg?imgmax=640

http://lh6.google.com/cfarness/Ro5BISZ2pUI/AAAAAAAAAII/I5T06x5R4ko/IMAG0001.JPG?imgmax=800

http://lh3.google.com/cfarness/Ro5BuiZ2piI/AAAAAAAAAJ4/C21Y_MxTh4k/IMAG0048.JPG?imgmax=800

at a shopping mall in Gaborone

http://lh5.google.com/fjbanduk/Rg8abba4CbI/AAAAAAAAAHE/5NjDbxcnJYs/19.%20Inside%20Game%20City%20Mall.JPG?imgmax=800

http://lh6.google.com/fjbanduk/Rg8Zsra4CTI/AAAAAAAAAGE/EQ89jtXsl4Q/11.%20Outside%20Riverwalk%20Mall.JPG?imgmax=800

Nice new pics!

More goodies (thanks to flickr) :

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1170/908289728_9b9a4895cd_b.jpg

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1387/908209574_90d3e4b79e_b.jpg

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1198/663586893_59e62e52e7_b.jpg

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1027/651090666_b048989f0f_b.jpg

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1129/684483383_c87a196bd4_o.jpg

Some of those are new to me, great update, king!

This are all brand new Gaborone shots (put onlin in July 2007)

Enjoy!:cheers:


http://img181.imageshack.us/img181/2054/gabo1kf2.jpg

http://img171.imageshack.us/img171/945/gabo2yr1.jpg

More pics from July 2007

http://img110.imageshack.us/img110/6407/gabo3zh3.jpg

Gaborone street scence

http://img132.imageshack.us/img132/1228/gabo4mh0.jpg

http://img258.imageshack.us/img258/8828/gabo5oz6.jpg

another street scene in Gaborone

http://img132.imageshack.us/img132/7522/gabo6rw1.jpg

http://img363.imageshack.us/img363/6794/gabo7pf2.jpg

http://thegrotjohns.smugmug.com/photos/139510668-L.jpg
http://thegrotjohns.smugmug.com/photos/139510594-L.jpg

The 3 Founding fathers of Botswana
http://captnemo.smugmug.com/photos/61583625-L.jpg

http://captnemo.smugmug.com/photos/61583625-L.jpg

http://captnemo.smugmug.com/photos/61583625-L.jpg

http://captnemo.smugmug.com/photos/61583625-L.jpg

http://captnemo.smugmug.com/photos/61583625-L.jpg

http://captnemo.smugmug.com/photos/61583625-L.jpg

http://captnemo.smugmug.com/photos/61583625-L.jpg

http://captnemo.smugmug.com/photos/61583625-L.jpg

Excellent! It seems more people are visiting, taking images and uploading the images for all to see of Gaborone. It was extremely difficult to find new images of this city. This thread is coming along very well. Thanks to all.

Finally a comprehensive update of this Southern African gem! :banana:

A town centre of some sort?http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1193/1250228115_080b8ff45e_o.jpg

Fast food-done Botswana style
http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1440/1250300593_f451304135_o.jpg

Construction going on! :banana:
http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1212/1201999422_edb3d84335_o.jpg

Gotta love the whole shiny-window building craze
http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1330/1250299543_82ba1eab9c_o.jpg

Finance Park
http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1233/1250270319_ffbb3eefbe_o.jpg

Older shopping centre
http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1332/1203362270_3541ce2531_o.jpg

City streets
http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1192/1202641186_a2e2c9f3b5_o.jpg

An intersection
http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1098/1201962100_1d84ae80b0_o.jpg

The airport
http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1435/1201090421_acdb6fe301_o.jpg

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1240/1201094107_205866da10_o.jpg

Inside a bar/cafe
http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1102/1201109251_bd1557c5cc_o.jpg

Kingofthehills , great Botswana shots but the airport disappoints me, Botswana needs a new one.

More brand new pics of Gab (July 2007)

http://img251.imageshack.us/img251/2576/gabo20kt3.jpg

http://img251.imageshack.us/img251/6442/gabo22xo1.jpg

http://img251.imageshack.us/img251/4035/gabo21bc6.jpg

http://img251.imageshack.us/img251/6279/gabo18dd7.jpg

nice housing in Gaborone

http://img251.imageshack.us/img251/3719/gabo16eb2.jpg

smooth roads

http://img251.imageshack.us/img251/9596/gabo14ml6.jpg

Thanks for the updates, Matt & King. :cheers1:

"Gaborone" like "Windhoek" seem to be tranquil and warm city.

SADC house
http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1084/1331900294_ca317174ce_b.jpg

nice 2 c that at least some countries in africa are making a progress towards better standard and decent way of living. Today I have read an article regarding Botswana and its economic growth so I was interested in how this country looks like as well. It seems like a very nice place.
Great pics BTW

http://h.imagehost.org/0174/Ministry_of_Health_Gaborone.jpg

I would like to see Bostwana assume more control of its diamond...perhaps even replace Belgium some day as the diamond capital of the world. This would do wonders for the country!

I have found loads of new pics but I will open a completely new side because it is hard to upload this site!

kl

km

ko

ka

All 2007 pics

It is said to be "Riverwalk Mall" in Gaborone

http://img147.imageshack.us/img147/4236/bo1ef5.jpg

All 2007 pics

It is said to be "Riverwalk Mall" in Gaborone

http://img147.imageshack.us/img147/4236/bo1ef5.jpg

http://img213.imageshack.us/img213/8854/bo2ef3.jpg

http://img213.imageshack.us/img213/2918/bo3by6.jpg

http://img213.imageshack.us/img213/3377/bo5vf1.jpg

http://img213.imageshack.us/img213/369/bo29cf3.jpg

small shops

http://img213.imageshack.us/img213/9270/bo30gp7.jpg



residential complex

http://img213.imageshack.us/img213/4679/bo7gt5.jpg

roads and highways in Gaborone

http://img213.imageshack.us/img213/6092/bo4gg0.jpg

http://img213.imageshack.us/img213/8359/bo6qu3.jpg

http://img213.imageshack.us/img213/343/bo28hd8.jpg

http://img213.imageshack.us/img213/7248/bo27zu2.jpg

urban residential area

http://img213.imageshack.us/img213/4461/bo25hh3.jpg

The University of Gaborone, looks really very nice

http://img213.imageshack.us/img213/9946/bo8du5.jpg

inside a faculty building

http://img213.imageshack.us/img213/4011/bo14bi5.jpg

Library of University

http://img213.imageshack.us/img213/1939/bo9libraryue1.jpg

inside the library:cheers:

http://img213.imageshack.us/img213/9767/bo10mi4.jpg



http://img213.imageshack.us/img213/4103/bo13xy9.jpg

http://img213.imageshack.us/img213/7123/bo12ge0.jpg



the dormitories

http://img213.imageshack.us/img213/809/bo16dormsiw3.jpg

The Faculty of Business:cheers:

http://img213.imageshack.us/img213/9846/bo15facultyofbusinessla9.jpg

It is said that this is Fairground Mall

http://img213.imageshack.us/img213/1020/bo31fairgroundmallxb8.jpg


Minsitry of Health

http://img213.imageshack.us/img213/5272/bo16nb5.jpg

http://img213.imageshack.us/img213/9353/bo19mh7.jpg

http://img213.imageshack.us/img213/6630/bo20qo5.jpg

British Council and Botswana diamond building

http://img213.imageshack.us/img213/4673/bo18ps8.jpg

http://img213.imageshack.us/img213/5610/bo21wg3.jpg

http://img213.imageshack.us/img213/1049/bo26zh3.jpg

city centre

http://img213.imageshack.us/img213/9423/bo34ll6.jpg

http://img213.imageshack.us/img213/7784/bo35ay3.jpg

http://img402.imageshack.us/img402/2335/bo17et7.jpg

Kind of old, but I don't think we've seen this particular intersection:

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1421/1489888102_6f388366be_o.jpg

wow i like this city

is it true that gaborone (or botswana) has one of the highest per capita incomes of africa or i just made it up?

wow i like this city

is it true that gaborone (or botswana) has one of the highest per capita incomes of africa or i just made it up?

Yes-it's closing in on $11,000 as of 2006, and this years estimates should put it at close to or higher than $12,000. Only Libya, South Africa and Mauritius have higher figures than that.

And superb updates, Matthias and King. Those photos were a pleasure to view.

Yes-it's closing in on $11,000 as of 2006, and this years estimates should put it at close to or higher than $12,000. Only Libya, South Africa and Mauritius have higher figures than that.

And superb updates, Matthias and King. Those photos were a pleasure to view.

amazing! thanks for the info!

.....construction around BAC, not too far from Riverwalk....

http://i184.photobucket.com/albums/x31/Upington/Oct2007/P1010043.jpg


http://i184.photobucket.com/albums/x31/Upington/Oct2007/P1010042.jpg


http://i184.photobucket.com/albums/x31/Upington/Oct2007/P1010041.jpg


http://i184.photobucket.com/albums/x31/Upington/Oct2007/P1010040.jpg



...some CBD construction

http://i184.photobucket.com/albums/x31/Upington/Oct2007/P1010039.jpg


http://i184.photobucket.com/albums/x31/Upington/Oct2007/P1010038.jpg

Great new pics, upington!

And good news from Botswana recenlty-according to the new Human Development Index Data, Botswana has an HDI rating of .654-it jumped up by 7 spots on the ranking as compared to last year. This is good news because since 1990, it's ranking had been declining thanks to the AIDS rate. Apparently the AIDS issue is now under control and we'll start seeing larger increases from now on.

Thanks for the images people. It's very nice to see more and more of 'Gabo' which at one time not so long ago it was very difficult to make a thread because of the lack of the 'recent' images of this city. Thanks a bunch and GJ!

:cheers:

....as Africans we have the responsibility to showcase this side of Africa which CNN or National Geography will never show.....and we should never expect them to show it......this city is growing fast and furious....its literally scary!!!

http://i184.photobucket.com/albums/x31/Upington/Oct2007/P1010044.jpg


http://i184.photobucket.com/albums/x31/Upington/Oct2007/P1010045.jpg


http://i184.photobucket.com/albums/x31/Upington/Oct2007/P1010046.jpg


http://i184.photobucket.com/albums/x31/Upington/Oct2007/P1010047.jpg


http://i184.photobucket.com/albums/x31/Upington/Oct2007/P1010048.jpg


http://i184.photobucket.com/albums/x31/Upington/Oct2007/P1010049.jpg

...as Africans we have the responsibility to showcase this side of Africa which CNN or National Geography will never show.....and we should never expect them to show it......this city is growing fast and furious....its literally scary!!!

YOU HIT THE NAIL ON ITS HEAD!!!!

Good shots from Gaborone


PS: I COULDN´T HAVE SAID IT BETTER; JUST TURNED ON THE TV TO WATCH INSIDE AFRICA ON CNN AND I SWITCHED OFF AFTER A COUPLE OF MINUTES AGAIN ..... ALL WHAT THEY WERE SHOWING WAS AIDS AIDS AIDS AND AIDS:

Maybe the get "comsic orgasms" when all they can think of when hearing the word Africa is Aids and War.:ohno:

Great new pics, upington!

And good news from Botswana recenlty-according to the new Human Development Index Data, Botswana has an HDI rating of .654-it jumped up by 7 spots on the ranking as compared to last year. This is good news because since 1990, it's ranking had been declining thanks to the AIDS rate. Apparently the AIDS issue is now under control and we'll start seeing larger increases from now on.
That is great news!

......i agree with you Matthias...its sad, but we can't control what CNN want to say about Africa....all we can do is to be united in promoting positive images of Africa......intelligent people no longer believe everything they hear or see on CNN because they can get real truth from the internet........

http://i184.photobucket.com/albums/x31/Upington/Oct2007/P1010052.jpg


http://i184.photobucket.com/albums/x31/Upington/Oct2007/P1010051.jpg


http://i184.photobucket.com/albums/x31/Upington/Oct2007/P1010050.jpg

...by the way, they are currently landscaping the area above....

http://i184.photobucket.com/albums/x31/Upington/Oct2007/P1010056.jpg

http://i184.photobucket.com/albums/x31/Upington/Oct2007/P1010055.jpg

http://i184.photobucket.com/albums/x31/Upington/Oct2007/P1010054.jpg

http://i184.photobucket.com/albums/x31/Upington/Oct2007/P1010053.jpg

Very impressive, upington!

Here are some of my own:

http://img530.imageshack.us/img530/7656/img0998gq4.jpg

http://img267.imageshack.us/img267/6814/img0991zi5.jpg

http://img152.imageshack.us/img152/2184/img1000pl3.jpg

http://img521.imageshack.us/img521/8568/botswana3120032wb6.jpg

http://img522.imageshack.us/img522/8639/botswana20720064gh0.jpg

http://img267.imageshack.us/img267/6213/botswana3120033ou5.jpg

http://img152.imageshack.us/img152/3784/botswana208120006gg2.jpg

http://img404.imageshack.us/img404/2293/botswana208120007ik2.jpg

http://img152.imageshack.us/img152/1373/botswana208120008cf7.jpg

Nice Alfa Romeo:

http://img530.imageshack.us/img530/4849/dsc01930ow2.jpg

http://img101.imageshack.us/img101/7545/dsc01931wx7.jpg

At one time not so long ago it was difficult to put together quality images of this city and I mentioned this many times before. Now it seems much visitation is happening and people are uploading their recent images. :)

http://static4.bareka.com/photos/medium/3797415/national-stadium.jpg

http://static4.bareka.com/photos/medium/3797415/national-stadium.jpg

Sweet pic! Pics of the BDF are hard to find.

Fantastic Gaborone !! Superb housing & streets and if you ask me to Guess which country this city belongs to with these pictures my 1st impression is definitely Australia. Botswana scored very well in many economic and social indicator ranks recently from what I read.

Very nice. Street are clean and City well plan. I wish they can share their experience with others african nations that are unable to get things done.

Very nice. Street are clean and City well plan. I wish they can share their experience with others african nations that are unable to get things done.

You are right as far as Gaborone is concerned, it is a aheer delight to look at the city... but your second half of the sentence is unreflected.

Can you really compare Gaboronne to bigger cities in Africa? It is like as if you try to compare let´s say Aix-en.Provence in France with Moscow. Gaboronné is one of Africa´s smallest capital cities and into the bargain Botswana has never went through any form of war or suffered under any form of blood-thirsty dictatorships Idi Amin or Abacha style.
Many countries in Africa are recovering now from the wrongs they have done or that has been inflicted upon them. So some more time, please and a bit of more balanced arguments next time.

Very nice. Street are clean and City well plan. I wish they can share their experience with others african nations that are unable to get things done.

You are right as far as Gaborone is concerned, it is a aheer delight to look at the city... but your second half of the sentence is unreflected.

Can you really compare Gaboronne to bigger cities in Africa? It is like as if you try to compare let´s say Aix-en.Provence in France with Moscow. Gaboronné is one of Africa´s smallest capital cities and into the bargain Botswana has never gone through any form of war or suffered under any form of blood-thirsty dictatorships Idi Amin or Abacha style.
Many countries in Africa are recovering now from the wrongs they have done or that have been inflicted upon them. So some more time, please and a bit of more balanced arguments next time.

Can you really compare Gaboronne to bigger cities in Africa?

No, but you could compare it to the capitals of some of the other smaller nations-Guinea Bissau's capital has a similar population. So do the capitals of The Gambia, Togo, Eq. Guinea, and Mauritania. All of these nations have lower populations, and yet aren't as nice as Gaborone.

It is like as if you try to compare let´s say Aix-en.Provence in France with Moscow. Gaboronné is one of Africa´s smallest capital cities

The same lessons will carry over. Gaborone is liked because of the cleanliness and the lack of corruption, as well as the good organization due primarily to good government management. It's not illogical to compare it(and Windhoek, for that matter) to some other large african cities. They too could be as organized and clean-their size does not negate that possibility. Poor management does.

and into the bargain Botswana has never went through any form of war or suffered under any form of blood-thirsty dictatorships Idi Amin or Abacha style.

And whose fault is that? Their own. Botswana have never suffered under such a dictatorship because they have within their culture a ZERO TOLERANCE rate for corruption. They just don't let it happen-it would have been impossible for an Abacha-style regime to gain power in Botswana.
Technically, the Botswana did face some conflict with south africa back in the 80's. The reason they don't see a lot of war is again of their own doing.

In this vein, many of these other nations could still learn a lot from gaborone and Botswana as a whole. Botswana is the way it is because they do not toerate corruption, they insist on good governance, they manage their nation well, and as a result they keep their cities clean and well organized(towns like Francistown and Maun look just as good). Botswana also differs in it's foreign policy, which when compared to the other average African nation has traditionally been more pro west/pro democracy and less anti-west/pro socialist. Other nations who cannot get their business in order really do need to look at them and take a few hints.

So some more time, please and a bit of more balanced arguments next time.

He shouldn't have to-the guy was dead on with what he said.

No, but you could compare it to the capitals of some of the other smaller nations-Guinea Bissau's capital has a similar population. So do the capitals of The Gambia, Togo, Eq. Guinea, and Mauritania. All of these nations have lower populations, and yet aren't as nice as Gaborone.

Dantexavier, you might forget that neither of the countries that you have mentioned (despite Equatorial Guinea) has the mineral wealth Botswana has. So comparing them makes no sense. ..However, as for Lomé which I visited as a young boy back in the late 80´s for a memorable holiday, was a pleasant city to stay at and above all clean. (I still have the photos to prove it and they are a stark contrast to what you see in Lomé today). Many European tourists flocked to the Lomé´s beaches and its wonderfully charming beach resorts which were world-class back in the 70´s and 80´s, something which you don´t know probably because you seem to be younger than me or have you been alive in the late 80´s already?
As for Banjul: It is a capital of a poor country, so comparing it to Gaborone is really unfair. The Gambia lacks the minerla wealth of Botswana.

The same lessons will carry over. Gaborone is liked because of the cleanliness and the lack of corruption, as well as the good organization due primarily to good government management. It's not illogical to compare it(and Windhoek, for that matter) to some other large african cities. They too could be as organized and clean-their size does not negate that possibility. Poor management does.

I didn´t deny this. I said that I like Gaborone because it is clean and properly organized.:yes: Read what I said properly!... but all this is also due to its small population and its wealth and good management. All I said is that you cannot compare Gaborone to bigger cities in Africa where ten to twenty times the population of Gaborone live. :ohno:It would be interesting to know if Gaborone or Botswana would still be a showcase if it had 140+ million inhabitants and so many ethinic influences. :yes: I highly doubt it. So some people try to compare apples with carrots which is unfair.

And whose fault is that? Their own. Botswana have never suffered under such a dictatorship because they have within their culture a ZERO TOLERANCE rate for corruption. They just don't let it happen-it would have been impossible for an Abacha-style regime to gain power in Botswana.In this vein, many of these other nations could still learn a lot from gaborone and Botswana as a whole. Botswana is the way it is because they do not toerate corruption, they insist on good governance, they manage their nation well, and as a result they keep their cities clean and well organized(towns like Francistown and Maun look just as good). Botswana also differs in it's foreign policy, which when compared to the other average African nation has traditionally been more pro west/pro democracy and less anti-west/pro socialist. Other nations who cannot get their business in order really do need to look at them and take a few hints.

Perhaps now..it is safe from an Abacha taking over control because democratic principles have become entrenched and internalized, but not in the early days of the post-independent period. Botswana was mainly staffed and administered by tens of thousands of "expats" which held the country´s key positions in the administration and the economy back in the 70´s and 80´s and it still is today, to a considerably lesser degree, of course. (I read an article about Botswana´s development in the political science magazine called "African Review" and the author refered to this aspect).

All I am saying is that Botswana has met certain conditions that lacked in other African countries: no dictatorships, very close links to Britain and South Africa (in the later period to South Africa in particular), no waring factions that were supported by external forces and which kept the country from finding peace (in the case of Mozambique or Angola), a huge expatriate workforce (in the early days of the post-independence) which might have helped Botswana to "land" more softly after independence, a relatively ethinically homogenous society/culture and a more than sizeable population as well as law-abiding institutions and wise leadership.
This set of conditions in their unique constellations explain to some extent why Botswan fares well today in my eyes.

No, but you could compare it to the capitals of some of the other smaller nations-Guinea Bissau's capital has a similar population. So do the capitals of The Gambia, Togo, Eq. Guinea, and Mauritania. All of these nations have lower populations, and yet aren't as nice as Gaborone.

Dantexavier, you might forget that none of the countries that you have mentioned (despite Equatorial Guinea) has the mineral wealth Botswana has. So comparing them makes no sense. ..However, as for Lomé which I visited as a young boy back in the late 80´s for a memorable holiday, was a pleasant city to stay at and above all clean. (I still have the photos to prove it and they are a stark contrast to what you see in Lomé today). Many European tourists flocked to the Lomé´s beaches and its wonderfully charming beach resorts which were world-class back in the 70´s and 80´s, something which you don´t know probably because you seem to be younger than me or have you been alive in the late 80´s already?
As for Banjul: It is a capital of a poor country, so comparing it to Gaborone is really unfair. The Gambia lacks the minerla wealth of Botswana.

The same lessons will carry over. Gaborone is liked because of the cleanliness and the lack of corruption, as well as the good organization due primarily to good government management. It's not illogical to compare it(and Windhoek, for that matter) to some other large african cities. They too could be as organized and clean-their size does not negate that possibility. Poor management does.

I didn´t deny this. I said that I like Gaborone because it is clean and properly organized.:yes: Read what I said properly!... but all this is also due to its small population and its wealth and good management. All I said is that you cannot compare Gaborone to bigger cities in Africa where ten to twenty times the population of Gaborone live. :ohno:It would be interesting to know if Gaborone or Botswana would still be a showcase if it had 140+ million inhabitants and so many ethinic influences. :yes: I highly doubt it. So some people try to compare apples with carrots which is unfair.

And whose fault is that? Their own. Botswana have never suffered under such a dictatorship because they have within their culture a ZERO TOLERANCE rate for corruption. They just don't let it happen-it would have been impossible for an Abacha-style regime to gain power in Botswana.In this vein, many of these other nations could still learn a lot from gaborone and Botswana as a whole. Botswana is the way it is because they do not toerate corruption, they insist on good governance, they manage their nation well, and as a result they keep their cities clean and well organized(towns like Francistown and Maun look just as good). Botswana also differs in it's foreign policy, which when compared to the other average African nation has traditionally been more pro west/pro democracy and less anti-west/pro socialist. Other nations who cannot get their business in order really do need to look at them and take a few hints.

Perhaps now..it is safe from an Abacha taking over control because democratic principles have become entrenched and internalized, but not in the early days of the post-independent period. Botswana was mainly staffed and administered by tens of thousands of "expats" which held the country´s key positions in the administration and the economy back in the 70´s and 80´s and it still is today, to a considerably lesser degree, of course. (I read an article about Botswana´s development in the political science magazine called "African Review" and the author refered to this aspect).

All I am saying is that Botswana has met certain conditions that lacked in other African countries: no dictatorships, very close links to Britain and South Africa (in the later period to South Africa in particular), no waring factions that were supported by external forces and which kept the country from finding peace (in the case of Mozambique or Angola), a huge expatriate workforce (in the early days of the post-independence) which might have helped Botswana to "land" more softly after independence, a relatively ethinically homogenous society/culture and a more than sizeable population as well as law-abiding institutions and wise leadership.
This set of conditions in their unique constellations explain to some extent why Botswan fares well today in my eyes.

Dantexavier, you might forget that neither of the countries that you have mentioned (despite Equatorial Guinea) has the mineral wealth Botswana has. So comparing them makes no sense.

Mauritania has quite a bit of oil.

The Gambia has it's scenery-it's landscape would make it the ideal tourist setting. It has all the potnetial to become similar to some of the caribbean islands. it's lack of stability and good governance has prevented that. Scenery is a valuable resource is used correctly, as the caribbeans have proven.

Togo could also rely on its scenery if it tried, although it would have a harder time than would the Gambia.

Guinea bissau has some oil, phosphate, and similarly abundant tourism potential.

EQ Guinea has its scenery along with its oil.

All of these nations are fully capable(if things are done correctly-and that's quite a big if) of matching Botswana's success when you look at it from a purely economic perspective. The main roadbloack is multiculturalism-most of these nations are not as ethnically homogenous as is Botswana.


As for Banjul: It is a capital of a poor country, so comparing it to Gaborone is really unfair. The Gambia lacks the mineral wealth of Botswana.

The Gambia, with it's small population, abundant tourism potential and not massive but reasonably sized mineral reserves has the potential to reach levels attained by the likes of the Caribbean islands.

I will concede that they lack an ethnically homogenous populace.


but all this is also due to its small population and its wealth and good management.

Togo, Gambia, Eq. Guinea, Guinea Bissau and Mauritania all have the same potential.

All I said is that you cannot compare Gaborone to bigger cities in Africa where ten to twenty times the population of Gaborone live. :ohno:It would be interesting to know if Gaborone or Botswana would still be a showcase if it had 140+ million inhabitants and so many ethinic influences. :yes: I highly doubt it. So some people try to compare apples with carrots which is unfair.

You're right about the multiculturalism. However, if Botswana remained as it is ethnically but possessed a much larger population, I would be confident in it's continued ability to succeed.


All I am saying is that Botswana has met certain conditions that lacked in other African countries: no dictatorships, very close links to Britain and South Africa (in the later period to South Africa in particular), no waring factions that were supported by external forces and which kept the country from finding peace (in the case of Mozambique or Angola),

Correct.

a huge expatriate workforce (in the early days of the post-independence) which might have helped Botswana to "land" more softly after independence,

Several other nations also possessed(or could have possessed) similarly large expat populations. Uganda, Eq. Guinea, and several others simply forced their expats(as well as many of their most educated natives) out of the country.

a relatively ethinically homogenous society/culture

I am glad you caught onto this-this is a key factor. That is unfortunate since most African nations are not so homogenous.

.....other interesting facts about Gaborone....Mafikeng, South Africa was the capital at one time before Gaborone.....Gaborone was a railway siding (small station) between Tlokweng and Mogoditshane villages which are now surburbs of Gaborone......the University of Botswana was originally called UBLS - University of Botswana, Lesotho and Swaziland....and the Botswana "campus" of UBLS was in the "village" close to where River Walk mall is today......some of the former Botswana government ministers had their high school diplomas from Tufkloof near Pietersburg (Polokwane), South Africa before Lob sec, Kgale, GSS etc can provide matric.....the late first, first Lady of Botswana (Lady Khama) was a white British woman and the mother of current vice President of Botswana.....very fascinating city and country.......

http://i184.photobucket.com/albums/x31/Upington/Oct2007/P1010057.jpg

http://i184.photobucket.com/albums/x31/Upington/Oct2007/P1010058.jpg

http://i184.photobucket.com/albums/x31/Upington/Oct2007/P1010059.jpg

http://i184.photobucket.com/albums/x31/Upington/Oct2007/P1010060.jpg

http://i184.photobucket.com/albums/x31/Upington/Oct2007/P1010061.jpg

http://i184.photobucket.com/albums/x31/Upington/Oct2007/P1010062.jpg

http://i184.photobucket.com/albums/x31/Upington/Oct2007/P1010063.jpg

http://i184.photobucket.com/albums/x31/Upington/Oct2007/P1010064.jpg

http://i184.photobucket.com/albums/x31/Upington/Oct2007/P1010065.jpg

http://i184.photobucket.com/albums/x31/Upington/Oct2007/P1010066.jpg

.....other interesting facts about Gaborone....Mafikeng, South Africa was the capital at one time before Gaborone.....Gaborone was a railway siding (small station) between Tlokweng and Mogoditshane villages which are now surburbs of Gaborone......the University of Botswana was originally called UBLS - University of Botswana, Lesotho and Swaziland....and the Botswana "campus" of UBLS was in the "village" close to where River Walk mall is today......some of the former Botswana government ministers had their high school diplomas from Tufkloof near Pietersburg (Polokwane), South Africa before Lob sec, Kgale, GSS etc can provide matric.....the late first, first Lady of Botswana (Lady Khama) was a white British woman and the mother of current vice President of Botswana.....very fascinating city and country.......

Great pics, Upington! And you're right, Seretse Khama's first wife was British and the mother of the current Vice President, Seretse Ian Khama. He'll become president in 2008 once Mogae steps down.

.....thanks!....and Ian loves Botswana as much as his father did.....Seretse's vision for Botswana was to be a beacon of peace....Ian's vision for Botswana is to be the "Dubai of Africa"......a bit of a stretch, but its good to dream big.....even Botswana's forefathers sailed across the oceans to London in the 1800s to seek British protection and signed a treaty.....now it paying huge devidents.....its easy to trivialize why Botswana is what it is today.....it did not take 41 years as some would like the world to believe......the foundation was laid before diamonds......

Mauritania has quite a bit of oil.


Since when??, oil exploration has just started. oil has not even been flowing for five years.

The Gambia has it's scenery-it's landscape would make it the ideal tourist setting. It has all the potnetial to become similar to some of the caribbean islands. it's lack of stability and good governance has prevented that. Scenery is a valuable resource is used correctly, as the caribbeans have proven.

What are you talking about? You will find packages to Gambia in all European cities and in particular in the UK and in germany. Condor - German charter flight - operates flights to the Gambia and if you would have checked the thread about the Gambia, you would see why!:)

Togo could also rely on its scenery if it tried, although it would have a harder time than would the Gambia.

Togo had a relatively thriving tourism industry in the past, due to instability and the "wind of change" that set in with the demise of the Cold War and the dismantling of dictatorial regimes, a lot of trouble came to Togo but I am sure the future will look brighter than its past, the dictator has gone which was by no means a "gentle dictator".



Guinea bissau has some oil, phosphate, and similarly abundant tourism potential.

I agree on it ....but dictator Sékou Touré once said that he prefers to live in poverty instead of being rich and bondaged by the West. This explains why Guinea is still largely untapped and underdevelopped today.

EQ Guinea has its scenery along with its oil.

We had enough debates about this country, check some of the older threads especailly that of "largest african economies". All has been said.

The main roadbloack is multiculturalism-most of these nations are not as ethnically homogenous as is Botswana.

An important ingredient.:)


Togo, Gambia, Eq. Guinea, Guinea Bissau and Mauritania all have the same potential.

out of the above-mentioned only Equatorial Guinea and maybe Mauritania, but haven´t you checkes the HDI of Mauritania, it moved up 16 position in juest one single year!!!!


a huge expatriate workforce (in the early days of the post-independence) which might have helped Botswana to "land" more softly after independence,
Several other nations also possessed(or could have possessed) similarly large expat populations. Uganda, Eq. Guinea, and several others simply forced their expats(as well as many of their most educated natives) out of the country.

Well, I don´t know what you define as "expats" but as for Eq G. the Spanish were no longer expats but descendants of former colonialists, they would have surely stayed on and helped to move the country forward with their expertise if a blood-thirsty dictator hadn´t taken over.
Idi Amin was beyond words.
But I think that as far as Eq Guinea is concerned, it still needs some more time, so much construction is ongoing.

I am glad you caught onto this-this is a key factor. That is unfortunate since most African nations are not so homogenous.

Very true:), but I think in the course of time African nations will learn to live with their multi-ethnic status and it will be even more enriching in the long run once national identities have become stronger but this will take one or two generations and a continued economic and inclusive growth for a generation.

Besides, all some nations in africa are still very very young, take Namibia which is just 17 years old or Angola which is just 32 years almost 28 years it went through war, so the country is a traumatized country with just 4 years of age.

Originally Posted by Upington
.....other interesting facts about Gaborone....Mafikeng, South Africa was the capital at one time before Gaborone.....Gaborone was a railway siding (small station) between Tlokweng and Mogoditshane villages which are now surburbs of Gaborone......the University of Botswana was originally called UBLS - University of Botswana, Lesotho and Swaziland....and the Botswana "campus" of UBLS was in the "village" close to where River Walk mall is today......some of the former Botswana government ministers had their high school diplomas from Tufkloof near Pietersburg (Polokwane), South Africa before Lob sec, Kgale, GSS etc can provide matric.....the late first, first Lady of Botswana (Lady Khama) was a white British woman and the mother of current vice President of Botswana.....very fascinating city and country.....

First of all great collection of new pics that you have uploaded for us:)

...but with regard to having a first lady that is white? What´s speacial about it?

Take Senegal: the first lady of the first president of Senegal called Leopold S. Senghor who was a highly respected leading member of the prestigious "Academie Francaise" was happily married to a Frenchwoman. Wade the current president of Senegal is married to a French lady, too. His son Karim is a good businessman.

Take the Ivory coast: the very same president that prentends to "hate" the French, Laurent Gbagbo, was formerly married to a French lady with whom he has a son who is called Michel Gbagbo and who lives in Paris but still has very very good relationship to his dead.

Take Ghana: Rawling´s father was a Scot.

in Cameroon: Paul Biya ´s wife whose name is Chantale is half-French.

in Gabon: one daughter of Bongo is married to a Frenchman. Georges Rawiri who died and who was the second most important politician in Bongo´s government was married to a French lady... and an oppositional politician called Daniel Mengara - who is still relatively young - is married to the daughter of the former French chairman of Banque de France.

There are surely more, but this is what just jumped into my mind.

So having European ladies in African government is not just restricted to Botswana.

Originally Posted by Upington
.....other interesting facts about Gaborone....Mafikeng, South Africa was the capital at one time before Gaborone.....Gaborone was a railway siding (small station) between Tlokweng and Mogoditshane villages which are now surburbs of Gaborone......the University of Botswana was originally called UBLS - University of Botswana, Lesotho and Swaziland....and the Botswana "campus" of UBLS was in the "village" close to where River Walk mall is today......some of the former Botswana government ministers had their high school diplomas from Tufkloof near Pietersburg (Polokwane), South Africa before Lob sec, Kgale, GSS etc can provide matric.....the late first, first Lady of Botswana (Lady Khama) was a white British woman and the mother of current vice President of Botswana.....very fascinating city and country.....

First of all great collection of new pics that you have uploaded for us:)

...but with regard to having a first lady that is white? What´s speacial about it?

Take Senegal: the first lady of the first president of Senegal called Leopold S. Senghor who was a highly respected leading member of the prestigious "Academie Francaise" was happily married to a Frenchwoman. Wade the current president of Senegal is married to a French lady, too. His son Karim is a good businessman.

Take the Ivory coast: the very same president that prentends to "hate" the French, Laurent Gbagbo, was formerly married to a French lady with whom he has a son who is called Michel Gbagbo and who lives in Paris but still has very very good relationship to his dad.

Take Ghana: Rawling´s father was a Scot.

in Cameroon: Paul Biya ´s wife whose name is Chantale is half-French.

in Gabon: one daughter of Bongo is married to a Frenchman. Georges Rawiri who died and who was the second most important politician in Bongo´s government was married to a French lady... and an oppositional politician called Daniel Mengara - who is still relatively young - is married to the daughter of the former French chairman of Banque de France.

There are surely more, but this is what just jumped into my mind.

So having European ladies in African government is not just restricted to Botswana.

I have forgotten one, Allasane Ouattara the fiercest oppositional figure in the Ivory Coast is married to a French lady as well whose name is Dominique Ouattara.

So Botswana was and will surely be no exception to the rule....and therefore doesn´t make the country "special". Love has no colour, race or whatever!:)

....thanks, thats interesting....

Here are some more Gaborone pics

http://www.panoramio.com/photos/original/6706224.jpg

http://www.panoramio.com/photos/original/6706390.jpg

http://www.panoramio.com/photos/original/6706375.jpg

http://static4.bareka.com/photos/medium/6706315/ministry-finance-government-enclave.jpg

http://www.panoramio.com/photos/original/3797466.jpg

http://www.panoramio.com/photos/original/3797197.jpg

http://static1.bareka.com/photos/medium/3797228/sumwer-near-enclave.jpg

http://www.panoramio.com/photos/original/1894350.jpg

Good photos, Matthias.

Matt, nice update, thanks.


Gabo Pano
http://img247.imageshack.us/img247/1666/36535964uk6.jpg

Faculty of Business of Gaborone
http://img245.imageshack.us/img245/4963/56747833jj2.jpg

http://img245.imageshack.us/img245/8301/61555956va9.jpg
http://img233.imageshack.us/img233/6331/74680164ls7.jpg

Librabry at University of Botswana
http://img521.imageshack.us/img521/8092/98847375pt4.jpg
http://img521.imageshack.us/img521/6686/53705476lr0.jpg

The Ministry of Education
http://img91.imageshack.us/img91/6902/16030503uq9.jpg
http://img91.imageshack.us/img91/7484/44484535fx1.jpg
http://img91.imageshack.us/img91/1884/51775364bz3.jpg

Debswana - the biggest diamond company in Botswana
http://img505.imageshack.us/img505/1848/23724097lo8.jpg

Botswana Unified Revenue Service building
http://img167.imageshack.us/img167/7002/97829496bk1.jpg

Ministry of Health
http://img116.imageshack.us/img116/1575/75606056oy8.jpg

Southern African Development Community (SADC)
http://img116.imageshack.us/img116/9688/24191325dw3.jpg

GrRRR.. Matt, already posted that set above! :)

http://img509.imageshack.us/img509/897/2186170590bc1914e265baj2.jpg

http://img262.imageshack.us/img262/4579/218538631988042652babuk5.jpg

http://img251.imageshack.us/img251/5960/p1040563di9.jpg

http://img521.imageshack.us/img521/6001/21861697982668672ae0bri1.jpg

http://img292.imageshack.us/img292/3158/2185370543ac847feebebkq9.jpg

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http://img228.imageshack.us/img228/188/2186140640a946524908bik6.jpg

Dantexavier, great pics, I enjoy looking at them!:cheers:

here is a video, driving around in Gaborone

Q1E9Fh4tTwE

A beautiful Eco-Lodge in Gaboronne, it is said

731koxmHHfQ

Kind funny stuff:lol:, Great Matt, only you.

A show about diamonds and Botswana was aired today and it showed some footage of "Gabo" itself.

A show about diamonds and Botswana was aired today and it showed some footage of "Gabo" itself.

Stormshadow, here's something kind of like that:

http://video.aol.com/video-detail/no-blood-diamond-in-botswana/1248023704

http://video.aol.com/video-detail/diamonds-are-botswanas-best-friend/1964605888

http://img519.imageshack.us/img519/6672/2185354379b442222dedbbm1.jpg

http://img519.imageshack.us/img519/8725/2186138674d2e2214292bjy3.jpg

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It's amazing how the majority of large retailers are all South African. Same goes for restaurant chains.

It's amazing how the majority of large retailers are all South African. Same goes for restaurant chains.

It's something to be expected, actually. Botswana is a small market, with just about 1.5 million people. It simply isn't a very big country population wise, and to top it off it is landlocked.

Because of this, its been closely tied to South Africa's economy for quite some time. Hence, South African influence is everywhere-the cars(the VW polos, VW city golfs and toyota corollas you see in the pics are popular in Botswana and most often built in SA), the utilities(south Africa sells botswana quite a bit of its power) and the businesses all show it.

One thing that surprised me about Gaborone is the very high number of 1990s Toyotas from Japan - models that we never saw in SA. I believe they are referred to as grey imports... but there are so many of them, it is unbelievable!

One thing that surprised me about Gaborone is the very high number of 1990s Toyotas from Japan - models that we never saw in SA. I believe they are referred to as grey imports... but there are so many of them, it is unbelievable!

That's the norm it seems in most of Africa. In most of the caribbean, particularly islands like Jamaica, toyotas are absolutely ubiquitous-you can't turn a corner without seeing a corrolla, the things are imported from japan en masse.

I see a ton of HiAces in the pics, like in most African nations, but did SA ever get the 4th generation Hiace?

http://www.avanrentals.co.nz/images/HiaceCargo2.jpg

http://www.japcarspics.com/toyota-hiace-cargo-van-81.htm

You see these everywhere in the caribbean and in most of sub saharan africa, but I realized that you don't find a lot of them in SA. Most of the minibuses there seem to be older Nissans and a few older generation Hiaces.

More pics:

http://img148.imageshack.us/img148/462/2186132336c74c54d889bsi5.jpg

http://img504.imageshack.us/img504/8906/2185348853a47baffc1abww1.jpg

http://img165.imageshack.us/img165/9550/21853491558beb551c29bzc7.jpg

That's the norm it seems in most of Africa. In most of the caribbean, particularly islands like Jamaica, toyotas are absolutely ubiquitous-you can't turn a corner without seeing a corrolla, the things are imported from japan en masse.

I see a ton of HiAces in the pics, like in most African nations, but did SA ever get the 4th generation Hiace?

http://www.avanrentals.co.nz/images/HiaceCargo2.jpg

http://www.japcarspics.com/toyota-hiace-cargo-van-81.htm

You see these everywhere in the caribbean and in most of sub saharan africa, but I realized that you don't find a lot of them in SA. Most of the minibuses there seem to be older Nissans and a few older generation Hiaces.


We didn't get the fourth generation Hiace. But lately we have the Toyota Quantum minibus, which is being used for Taxis.

http://www.toyota.co.za/images/models/quantum/quantum_view_model/quantum_model_page_landing_vehicle.jpg

http://www.toyota.co.za/images/models/quantum/quantum_gallery/quantum_gallery_13A_exterior_styling_02_big.jpg

The New and the Old:

http://www.sa-transport.co.za/taxis/toyota_quantum_2.JPG

We didn't get the fourth generation Hiace. But lately we have the Toyota Quantum minibus, which is being used for Taxis.

http://www.toyota.co.za/images/models/quantum/quantum_view_model/quantum_model_page_landing_vehicle.jpg

http://www.toyota.co.za/images/models/quantum/quantum_gallery/quantum_gallery_13A_exterior_styling_02_big.jpg

The New and the Old:

http://www.sa-transport.co.za/taxis/toyota_quantum_2.JPG

I see. I guess they just decided to skip a generation, and then give you the fifth one under a new name.:)

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Great shots, Stormshadow!

I go to gabs a great deal on business and the thing that annoys be about gaborone is just how dirty and scruffy it looks. For such a great country with such a great economy you would have thought that Botswanans could get round to tidying the place up. It is unfortunately a total mess. All road verges are scruffy, road signs are rusty or skew, and there is a lot of litter along the roads etc. Gabs could be so good if it had a city council that ran the place properly. Its very frustrating.

I go to gabs a great deal on business and the thing that annoys be about gaborone is just how dirty and scruffy it looks. For such a great country with such a great economy you would have thought that Botswanans could get round to tidying the place up. It is unfortunately a total mess. All road verges are scruffy, road signs are rusty or skew, and there is a lot of litter along the roads etc. Gabs could be so good if it had a city council that ran the place properly. Its very frustrating.

That's a suprising evaluation. You don't see a lot of that in the pics, and western toruists aren't always renowned for taking photos of only the cleanest areas(ex. the thousands of photo tour galleries we see taken of Kibera in kenya, etc, etc).

I do see some wear in tear on some of the road signs in the pics, though, particularly in the last post I made. The council could also do something to make the city look less rural and a little more developed.

Well take a look back through the pics. You will see scruffy road signs, unkept road verges etc. It is not a city that I have ever heard described as tidy even by botswanans. It is also a major issue in the papers in gabs as there are always letters complaining about how scruffy the place is. It very annoying because it is a great city: very safe and lots of good shops etc and some very interesting buildings but it is a mess.

^^ unfortunate, i don't want to turn this into a political debate at all, but who runs the city council in gaborone? is it the current gov in control of the city con as well or is it an opposition party, if there is any opposition parties?
rirwi4

I go to gabs a great deal on business and the thing that annoys be about gaborone is just how dirty and scruffy it looks. For such a great country with such a great economy you would have thought that Botswanans could get round to tidying the place up. It is unfortunately a total mess. All road verges are scruffy, road signs are rusty or skew, and there is a lot of litter along the roads etc. Gabs could be so good if it had a city council that ran the place properly. Its very frustrating.

Mike2005, is that the Mike that once praised Botswana and who once said that he can only live in SA, Namibia and Botswana? Your comment is suprising.

Well, I have never been to Gaborone but what I have seen so far on the web, it looks like a delightful and clean city with very little poverty. I like the city.:)

When it boils down to filth and scruffiness, believe me, you get a lot of run down areas even in the city centres (!!!) in countries like Germany and France where the street sides or tube stations are full with litter or roads awfully pot-holed....considering the fact that both are highly industrialized countries. Maybe I will dispatch a few pics here in the future, normal urban areas, no outskirts that look neglected. And do not forget that Germany is No.3 in the world and France No.5 or 6 (depending on the sources you read) when it comes to the biggest economies worldwide.

You will only find spotlessly clean cities in the UAE, Malaysia, Japan, Qatar Norway, Luxembourg, Singapore, some filthy rich Caribbean island like British Virgin Island or Bermudas or overseas department like Réunion Island and maybe parts of Autralia. Finish! A friend of mine who graduated from university currently works as an engineer in Saudi Arabia and says that it is a dirty country and the pics that he sends really shows that it is dirty...once you leave the "showy" quarters. (and Saudi is the biggest exporter of oil in the world)

......was in Botswana 4 months ago......its true Gabs can do with some re-alignment of roads to improve traffic flow, fill up some pot-holes and remove lots of goats, donkeys, cattle etc that roam the city...BUT, in general Botswana's cities are still one of the most peaceful in the world......i was with my partner and we had a great time.......you can walk in downtown at night without fear of being mugged; if you are gay and black, you can hold your partner's hand without feeling ackward since Batswana men holding hands is still as normal in Botswana as breathing........being gay is illegal in Botswana, but holding another guy's hand is not.....its one thing to have nice roads, gleaming skyscrapers and manacured lawns, sorounded by homophobes, suicide bombers and violent criminals.....i will take cows, donkeys, pot-holes and hold my boyfriend's hand anyday.....


.

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I think that if I had a choice of living in any African City, Gaborone would be the one.

I think that Botswana is the richest Continental Sub-Saharan Country? [GDP wise?] I think it just beat South Africa.

I think that if I had a choice of living in any African City, Gaborone would be the one.

I think that Botswana is the richest Continental Sub-Saharan Country? [GDP wise?] I think it just beat South Africa.

It did beat SA($14,700 vs. $10,600), but it finishes behind both Eq. Guinea and the Seychelles as far as African nations go.

Overall, you'd probably be better off in Botswana than in Eq. Guinea in terms of quality of life.

iI think Equ. Guinea is only half continental.

iI think Equ. Guinea is only half continental.

Half continental? What do you mean?

the other half is an island. i think thats what he means

the other half is an island. i think thats what he means

Well, in any case it isn't. Bioko Island isn't that big-continental EQ Guinea is much larger.

Polos! South African made:

http://img252.imageshack.us/img252/6379/2186125976c64824275ebmr8.jpg

http://img182.imageshack.us/img182/6217/2185342685350a82333fbal8.jpg

http://img213.imageshack.us/img213/64/2186125304383db41c18bhp6.jpg

http://img329.imageshack.us/img329/5651/2311159382edfbeb7f4ebkb1.jpg

Polos! South African made:

http://img252.imageshack.us/img252/6379/2186125976c64824275ebmr8.jpg

Well, those are very nice cars, but they are a little too small for my tastes, I'm into SUV's and things!:cheers:

Have anybody noticed that Africans seem to like white cars so much?!

Well, those are very nice cars, but they are a little too small for my tastes, I'm into SUV's and things!:cheers:

To each his own. I like the gold Landcruiser to the left of them to.

Have anybody noticed that Africans seem to like white cars so much?!

Not a trend I noticed myself, buy maybe you're right.

New shots of Gaborone:

http://img404.imageshack.us/img404/3376/21853405152837df186ebcp6.jpg
http://img187.imageshack.us/img187/1124/21853413114713b9e00fbkt0.jpg
http://img205.imageshack.us/img205/698/218612357643bf833078bsw9.jpg

Fantastic, DX! :applause:

I don't know how you do it but Gabs isn't a simple city to cover. :okay:

It would be nice to see the cconstruction of the CBD that is supposedly going on.

......it turned into a white elephant!.......they built nice roads which are now all covered by grass.......i was there 4 months ago and all i saw were Gaborone donkeys and goats that love the place coz there is plenty grass........the roads are used by driving schools for their learners to practice parallel packing etc.......some people use the bushes to relieve themselves on the way to/from city centre.........hopefully with Ian Khama (Kgama) being the President, there is a high likelihood we will see some resurrection of that very prime piece of property.......Kgama is a no-nonsense guy and we expect to see Botswana bloosom overnight under his leadership........its no secret in Botswana that he does not spend his time drinking Sminorff like the former President Mogae......i am not demeaning Mogae, coz he is a great guy, but the guy just loves his booze.....BTW all those shots of the Gaborone skyline i took 4 months ago, i took them from that empty land for the "CBD".....its right across the railroad tracks from that white Attorney General building .......

Thanks for the compliments, Stormshadow, and thanks for the inside info pertaining to Botswana, Upington. Let's hope you're right about Khama being no-nonsense.

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I go to gabs a great deal on business and the thing that annoys be about gaborone is just how dirty and scruffy it looks. For such a great country with such a great economy you would have thought that Botswanans could get round to tidying the place up. It is unfortunately a total mess. All road verges are scruffy, road signs are rusty or skew, and there is a lot of litter along the roads etc. Gabs could be so good if it had a city council that ran the place properly. Its very frustrating.

I have to agree with Mike2005 that gabs is not as clean as say Windhoek. There are a lot of roads without pedestrian pavements or with dusty medians which makes it look more like a town than a city.

The Gaborone city council needs to focus on the cosmetics to make the city look what it should be. A good benchmark must be Windhoek their neighbors.

I have to agree with Mike2005 that gabs is not as clean as say Windhoek. There are a lot of roads without pedestrian pavements or with dusty medians which makes it look more like a town than a city.

The Gaborone city council needs to focus on the cosmetics to make the city look what it should be. A good benchmark must be Windhoek their neighbors.

I agree. And better yet, they should start now before 2010.

More pics:

http://img296.imageshack.us/img296/3044/2186104434ca22233cb9bxy7.jpg
http://img100.imageshack.us/img100/3354/2185321583d491bc0f16bur3.jpg
http://img149.imageshack.us/img149/3797/2186107274a39fec8866bdz0.jpg

http://img84.imageshack.us/img84/6481/21860918087644b7b565buh0.jpg
http://img155.imageshack.us/img155/8215/21860901922da6d46d29bmm7.jpg
http://img100.imageshack.us/img100/498/2185297285d370c50b8bbxm8.jpg

Interesting place. For a country with a GDP/capita of $12,000, I certainly expected a much more developped looking city. Not a Singapour but at least a Windhoek.

I agree, but keep in mind that Gaborone only has a population of 250,000 people or so, so you won't expect it to be a Tokyo or Chicago, and Gaborone wasn't always doing this good financially. It use to be one of the poorest nations in Africa and is experiencing rapid population growth. So in actually less than 5 years, Gaborone hsould be aTLEAST twice as developed as it is now.

As for developement, I am still waiting to see pics of the downtown area supposedly under construction.

29.3.2008
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good pics, Dantexavier. We all know how difficult some countries are to cover. You are doing a good job here!:cheers:

good pics, Dantexavier. We all know how difficult some countries are to cover. You are doing a good job here!:cheers:

thats right DANTE KEEP IT UP ur work esp on windhoek and gabo is highly appreciated

Thanks for the encouragement, guys :)

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Wow, do u have any recent pics of the new downtown supposedly under construction.

lol I've just listened to Botswana's national anthem... And now I consider it (with Colombia and Ecuador) the most beautiful anthem in the world!. Both music and lyrics are beautiful!.

Wow, do u have any recent pics of the new downtown supposedly under construction.

Aside from the few shown earlier in this thread, no. They're exceedingly difficult to find, as are photos of this city in general.

.....have to own up and eat my words regarding the new CBD......i thought it was a white elephant, but recently re-visited it and i am embarrassed to say that i was wrong.....2 high-rise going up in addition to the monument and some ugly pseudo-Georgian building......here is the proof....

.....monument....

http://i184.photobucket.com/albums/x31/Upington/May08/P4280021.jpg

....hi-rise 1

http://i184.photobucket.com/albums/x31/Upington/May08/P4280023.jpg

....hi-rise 2

http://i184.photobucket.com/albums/x31/Upington/May08/P4280019.jpg

http://i184.photobucket.com/albums/x31/Upington/May08/P4280022.jpg


....pseudo-Georgian....

http://i184.photobucket.com/albums/x31/Upington/May08/P4280017.jpg

Wow! Nice pictures people!

Not to nitpick or anything, but those are barely mid-rises let alone high rises.

Wow! Nice pictures people!

Not to nitpick or anything, but those are barely mid-rises let alone high rises.

True, but by Gaborone's standards they might as well be skyscrapers.

Great photos Upington!

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http://img366.imageshack.us/img366/3479/2383374622354b3bb7c4bac7.jpg

Video of some folks walking around in central gaborone:

aEwNcsIad9o&feature=related

http://img524.imageshack.us/img524/3020/23839711872f90febe5bbnd1.jpg
http://img522.imageshack.us/img522/6303/2383964553742ceb36e6bte6.jpg
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http://img208.imageshack.us/img208/4156/23732052374168340666bry1.jpg
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http://img176.imageshack.us/img176/7481/2366414287d0cb99317bohj6.jpg
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http://img176.imageshack.us/img176/9641/2278186652b4016a83f5ovt9.jpg
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http://img296.imageshack.us/img296/1184/236724993286aee58f2bowr4.jpg

some buildings in gabo

http://i188.photobucket.com/albums/z8/kenyandude/P1040563.jpg

http://i188.photobucket.com/albums/z8/kenyandude/2008_0427botswana20019.jpg

yo dante check out ur pm

Nice finds, nairoberry! :)

Excellent, keep up the good work fellows. Gabs is looking good, although there aren't any mid-high rise buildings but it does contain wonderful low stature one's. The lake in the image a few post above is actually the waters of the "Gaborone Dam" I believe.

Excellent, keep up the good work fellows. Gabs is looking good, although there aren't any mid-high rise buildings but it does contain wonderful low stature one's. The lake in the image a few post above is actually the waters of the "Gaborone Dam" I believe.

Yeah, the photographers description of the photo said so to. It's only a few miles away from Gaborone though, and I figured I might as well just put them here.

http://img516.imageshack.us/img516/5316/p1011157afl5.jpg
http://img255.imageshack.us/img255/2333/p1010940ve9.jpg
http://img174.imageshack.us/img174/6296/p1010907hb4.jpg

http://img246.imageshack.us/img246/4253/23255698094f16cf054fbev8.jpg
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http://img255.imageshack.us/img255/3509/p1010830wb2.jpg
http://img516.imageshack.us/img516/4387/p1010905qt7.jpg
http://img294.imageshack.us/img294/4397/p1010901aex9.jpg

I've spent some time reading into Bots and Gaborone for a while and all I'm saying is WOW.......It looks so inviting.

I have one question....I went onto Google Earth and found this grid pattern of roads in the centre.

http://i255.photobucket.com/albums/hh140/KomSakkie/Gaborone.jpg?t=1221129076

Is this the new CBD that everybody keeps talking about? And if so do we have any confirmed projects that we can start documenting?

For now guys lets refer to Gaborone as a town centre, there's a very long way to go. Maybe in 2040 we could give it a city status.

I've spent some time reading into Bots and Gaborone for a while and all I'm saying is WOW.......It looks so inviting.

I have one question....I went onto Google Earth and found this grid pattern of roads in the centre.

http://i255.photobucket.com/albums/hh140/KomSakkie/Gaborone.jpg?t=1221129076

Is this the new CBD that everybody keeps talking about? And if so do we have any confirmed projects that we can start documenting?

I think that it might be. Earlier on in the thread(a page or 2 back, maybe slightly more) Upington posted some great shots of construction in the CBD. Since the google imaging is not current(it might be a bit dated, perhaps by a year...or so I've heard), that area you see there may have been built up already in some of those pictures.

I don't agree with you, sorry. Being a kingdom doesn't necessarily mean a mess in Africa. Swaziland is not so prosperous as Botswana, but it still respects democracy and freedom. I like Swaziland better than Botswana though I do agree that Botswana has a stronger and more vibrant economy than Swaziland. I like the Swazis who are very friendly, warm-hearted and peace-loving. Living in a smaller country means that everything is within eash reach, isn't it? Botswana is too big and is too sparsely-populated. However, it may be an excellent country in which to do safaris.

Botswana is one of the very few countries in the world where you can enjoy the pleasure of ultimate driving. It's too big and is too sparsely-populated.

Mauritania has quite a bit of oil.

The Gambia has it's scenery-it's landscape would make it the ideal tourist setting. It has all the potnetial to become similar to some of the caribbean islands. it's lack of stability and good governance has prevented that. Scenery is a valuable resource is used correctly, as the caribbeans have proven.

Togo could also rely on its scenery if it tried, although it would have a harder time than would the Gambia.

Guinea bissau has some oil, phosphate, and similarly abundant tourism potential.

EQ Guinea has its scenery along with its oil.

All of these nations are fully capable(if things are done correctly-and that's quite a big if) of matching Botswana's success when you look at it from a purely economic perspective. The main roadbloack is multiculturalism-most of these nations are not as ethnically homogenous as is Botswana.



The Gambia, with it's small population, abundant tourism potential and not massive but reasonably sized mineral reserves has the potential to reach levels attained by the likes of the Caribbean islands.

I will concede that they lack an ethnically homogenous populace.



Togo, Gambia, Eq. Guinea, Guinea Bissau and Mauritania all have the same potential.



You're right about the multiculturalism. However, if Botswana remained as it is ethnically but possessed a much larger population, I would be confident in it's continued ability to succeed.



Correct.



Several other nations also possessed(or could have possessed) similarly large expat populations. Uganda, Eq. Guinea, and several others simply forced their expats(as well as many of their most educated natives) out of the country.



I am glad you caught onto this-this is a key factor. That is unfortunate since most African nations are not so homogenous.


Anyway, Gaborone's infrastructures, particularly its road systems, are quite impressive.

Beautiful city
well developed
surpassed my expctativa

a great modern peaceful Botswanan capital with superb infrastructure ; the road signs are the best I've seen !

I don't agree with you, sorry. Being a kingdom doesn't necessarily mean a mess in Africa. Swaziland is not so prosperous as Botswana, but it still respects democracy and freedom. I like Swaziland better than Botswana though I do agree that Botswana has a stronger and more vibrant economy than Swaziland. I like the Swazis who are very friendly, warm-hearted and peace-loving. Living in a smaller country means that everything is within eash reach, isn't it? Botswana is too big and is too sparsely-populated. However, it may be an excellent country in which to do safaris.

nothing is better than an enlightened modern kingdom if a country is sparsely populated...it gives a lot of political stability (difference btween Algeria and Marocco , for example) and we all know why African countries are so fragile nowadays, there is no strong enlightened leadership that sticks to rule of rule and propels the population out of poverty and modernizes societies...modernism will suffocate all conflicts in Africa, people will have other prirorities.

But why don´t we open a debate on the skybar concerning this topic?:)

Is this how they view Nigerians in Bostwana?

Nigerians And Botswana

Sir: The government of Botswana in 2008 January banned the employment of Nigerian health and other professionals in their public sector including doctors, pharmacists, lecturers etc on the grounds that Nigerians are crooks. Other people banned are Indians, Pakistanis and people from Bangledash for various reasons.

Many of the professors who left the shores of Nigeria to go and teach in Botswana are either told that their contract cannot be renewed because they have found a better replacement and therefore advised to leave the country. A plan was also made to disengage the professionals in health and other sectors who are Nigerians but in order to avoid diplomatic problems they were left alone.

I wonder why Botswana knowing that Nigeria is a country of crooks came in 2001 to ask for Technical Aid from the Federal Government of Nigeria which supplied them more than 50 doctors and other health professionals. The country of 'crooks' also trained their President in the Nigerian Air Force and the same country of crooks produced their first Chief Judge who wrote their Constitution. The same country of crooks built their Princess Marina Hospital and gave them money before they discovered diamonds.

What everyone should know is that xenophobia against Nigeria and Nigerians is rising in Southern Africa which is also a region of crooks as many Botswanas have been on trial for various forms of corruption, stealing, murder, embezzlement, rape, armed robbery and even drug trafficking. Passion killing is a culture and it occurs nearly every day. So the truth is that all countries have crooks, but singling out Nigeria shows the hatred Southern Africans have for our country.

I suggest that the Federal Government should stop its Father Christmas approach when it comes to helping African nations who are in so-called need. Once they feel they have gotten natural resources they will start calling Nigeria a country of crooks. Nigeria has wasted money building hospitals in Botswana with taxpayers' money and helping them through various means. But since they discovered diamonds, Nigerians then became crooks. They insist that all Nigerians are crooks and should leave their country. The Federal Government should also close embassies in countries where Nigeria is not benefiting anything including Botswana so as to save taxpayers' money.

My advice to all professionals is to avoid Botswana if you are thinking of moving abroad to work as an expatriate. They will use you and dump you and you will lose your job at home. To be forewarned is to be forearmed.




http://www.ngrguardiannews.com/letters/article02//indexn2_html?pdate=180109&ptitle=Nigerians%20And%20Botswana

^^ total bull crap. since when they spent their tax money to help Botswana? Where is the source to prove it did ?

neat and orderly place. A good reputation for governance also. :cheers: all good things.

Neat and well organized place, a little bit rural to be a capital city, though but it seems to be a nice place to live. At least its leaders don't spend lots of money in building useless lavish buildings to pretend to be a superpower while people are starving, e.g. Pyongyang, Harare, Yangon, etc.

Neat and well organized place, a little bit rural to be a capital city, though but it seems to be a nice place to live. At least its leaders don't spend lots of money in building useless lavish buildings to pretend to be a superpower while people are starving, e.g. Pyongyang, Harare, Yangon, etc.

Well, building "useless lavish buildings" can do more for a city/country than you may think.

In Harare there are many office buildings built by the Mugabe Regime because a city the size of Harare needs commercial space! Harare has about 2.5 million people and they need office space. Harare is about the size Chicago and doesn't look anything like Chicago in terms of size!!!

A city with 2 million plus people needs office space.

Why not create some jobs so people can feed themselves forever, instead of giving food away just so they will be hungry tomorrow.

Botswana is a wonderful country. Unfortunately though, AIDS has ravaged the population with 350,000 out of 1.8 million people infected (according to 2003 estimates - things coulda changed). That's why you have many people from other African countries moving there to offer their manpower. Lovely country though.

https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/bc.html

Botswana is a wonderful country. Unfortunately though, AIDS has ravaged the population with 350,000 out of 1.8 million people infected (according to 2003 estimates - things coulda changed). That's why you have many people from other African countries moving there to offer their manpower. Lovely country though.

https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/bc.html

I was looking at a map that showed the HIV prevalences around the world and I find it very hard to believe ho some nations can have over a 20% infection rate?

How in the hell did it get like that?

I can maybe understand 4% or 5% but 20% or more is just terrible. Do people in these countries use condoms? Is there like widespread Drug Needle use?

Well, building "useless lavish buildings" can do more for a city/country than you may think.

In Harare there are many office buildings built by the Mugabe Regime because a city the size of Harare needs commercial space! Harare has about 2.5 million people and they need office space. Harare is about the size Chicago and doesn't look anything like Chicago in terms of size!!!

A city with 2 million plus people needs office space.

Why not create some jobs so people can feed themselves forever, instead of giving food away just so they will be hungry tomorrow.

A lot of commercial real estate in Zimbabwe was built by Old Mutual and a lot of insurance companies

I was looking at a map that showed the HIV prevalences around the world and I find it very hard to believe ho some nations can have over a 20% infection rate?

How in the hell did it get like that?

I can maybe understand 4% or 5% but 20% or more is just terrible. Do people in these countries use condoms? Is there like widespread Drug Needle use?

I do believe that Botswana has the highest proportion of it's population infected with the AIDS in the world. One should also realize that while Botswana has one of the highest GDP per capita's in the continent, it's also the most unequal (in terms of GINI). Which can explain the distortion in GDP per capita and the reason for the AIDS epidemic.

I do believe that Botswana has the highest proportion of it's population infected with the AIDS in the world. One should also realize that while Botswana has one of the highest GDP per capita's in the continent, it's also the most unequal (in terms of GINI). Which can explain the distortion in GDP per capita and the reason for the AIDS epidemic.

Well that is because many Botswana people still live in tribes so obviously they will have less wealth than somebody that lives in the capital, that could explain the high GINI.

Well that is because many Botswana people still live in tribes so obviously they will have less wealth than somebody that lives in the capital, that could explain the high GINI.

I don't think thats the main reason, the same excuse could be applied to a good portion of African countries but their not as unequal. Southern Africa as a whole is very unequal.

I don't think thats the main reason, the same excuse could be applied to a good portion of African countries but their not as unequal. Southern Africa as a whole is very unequal.

Is it racial inequality or tribal inequality?

Were there Whites in Botswana?

(i hate to bring race up again) :ohno:

Is it racial inequality or tribal inequality?

Were there Whites in Botswana?

(i hate to bring race up again) :ohno:

Well I don't think it's so racial in Botswana, since whites are only around 3% of the population.

Well I don't think it's so racial in Botswana, since whites are only around 3% of the population.

So the Upper Class Botswana people are mostly native people?

So the Upper Class Botswana people are mostly native people?

I assume so, but it doesn't make the issue of inequality any less grave.

in my opinion as an ousider i'm happy to see that africans are proud of their continent and that they want the best for it.

from here is the most beatiful afrikan woman MISS UNIVERSE 1999 makelapule

http://a.imagehost.org/0426/gabs1.jpg

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http://h.imagehost.org/0137/gabs8.jpg

Gabs is one of the most vast capitals in the African continent, that helps to controll the city more unlike when there are many people. Very vast on Sundays especially, the best thing to head westward along the middle rigion for camping which is quite huge with the Motswanans.

http://img176.imageshack.us/img176/7481/2366414287d0cb99317bohj6.jpg



Whats the the tallest building in Botswana? It seems like they really like steel and glass which gives a more modern feel.

It's something to be expected, actually. Botswana is a small market, with just about 1.5 million people. It simply isn't a very big country population wise, and to top it off it is landlocked.

Because of this, its been closely tied to South Africa's economy for quite some time. Hence, South African influence is everywhere-the cars(the VW polos, VW city golfs and toyota corollas you see in the pics are popular in Botswana and most often built in SA), the utilities(south Africa sells botswana quite a bit of its power) and the businesses all show it.

Botswana has a population of 1.9 to 2 million.

http://lh6.ggpht.com/_S3JZcRxUu1w/SqQKIMARnjI/AAAAAAAAVFY/lNkUcYlHB_o/s912/IMG_5071.JPG

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http://lh6.ggpht.com/_hUDGfAbKfPA/SBbTQglNd7I/AAAAAAAADO0/pTMgD7aWgxc/s720/2008_0427botswana20015.JPG

http://lh5.ggpht.com/_hUDGfAbKfPA/SBbTWQlNd_I/AAAAAAAADPU/SB6RH7FA5q4/s800/2008_0427botswana20019.JPG

http://lh3.ggpht.com/_hUDGfAbKfPA/SBbTlwlNeGI/AAAAAAAADQQ/PraEuYjPjfw/s800/2008_0427botswana20028.JPG

http://lh6.ggpht.com/_S3JZcRxUu1w/SqQKNfFgGNI/AAAAAAAAVGY/2YemjYZarhY/s912/IMG_5082.JPG

cheerful kids

http://lh6.ggpht.com/_S3JZcRxUu1w/SqQKWxFiiwI/AAAAAAAAVHw/q0ZPpSyn7NQ/s800/IMG_5094.JPG

Very nice pics; Gaborone looks very modern and clean as a city.

Great city!

Is a safe place?

very sparse

Courtesy of US Army Africa

http://j.imagehost.org/0553/bots1.jpg

Botswana National Stadium
http://j.imagehost.org/0158/bots2.jpg

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4129/4983335852_ed41e6765d_b.jpg

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4108/4982722461_166f3dfd77_b.jpg

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http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4126/4952056942_7e98328fd2_b.jpg

http://www.flickr.com/photos/gvtbolivia/tags/gaborone/page2/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/52584579@N05/

Nice to know that Botswana is evolving and it's becoming a nice place to visit. Maybe I come someday, soon I hope :)

http://s02.flagcounter.com/count/3Djs/bg=FFFFFF/txt=000000/border=CCCCCC/columns=1/maxflags=1/viewers=3/labels=1/pageviews=1/ http://2.s03.flagcounter.com/count/0NBu/bg=FFFFFF/txt=000000/border=CCCCCC/columns=1/maxflags=1/viewers=3/labels=1/ http://2.s05.flagcounter.com/count/MECnk/bg=FFFFFF/txt=000000/border=CCCCCC/columns=1/maxflags=1/viewers=3/labels=0/ http://2.s02.flagcounter.com/count/3Djs/bg=FFFFFF/txt=000000/border=CCCCCC/columns=1/maxflags=1/viewers=3/labels=1/pageviews=0/

http://mw2.google.com/mw-panoramio/photos/medium/7746327.jpg

http://0.tqn.com/d/goafrica/1/0/O/J/gaborone.jpg

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/3/35/GaboroneStreetScene.jpg/800px-GaboroneStreetScene.jpg

Botswana has a population of 1.9 to 2 million.

I was going to say, "I thought Gaborone was much smaller than-" but then I was like, "Oh! That's the whole country!"

They should all move to Gaborone. :lol:

http://boidus.co.bw/blog/wp-content/uploads/2010/09/masa-centre3.jpg
Masa Centre
http://boidus.co.bw/blog/wp-content/uploads/2010/09/masa-centre-corridors1.jpg
creation of cohesive interior spaces
http://boidus.co.bw/blog/wp-content/uploads/2010/09/masa-interiors.jpg
Masa Centre Interiors
Visit Boidus for architecture news in GC (http://www.boidus.co.bw)
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Wow,Im really impressed about the pictures,comments and everything about Gaborone in this gallery.Its good thing that we show the World the positive side and how developed Africa is.Such small countries like Botswana bears a proof to that and deserves the spotlight.Just like any other city in the world Gaborone has its own problems like sprawl, traffic congestion, e.t.c., and we cannot keep on focussing only on the dark side of things.As Town Planner in Gaborone,I say whach the space....in 10 yrs time Gaborone shall a city for all to admirer and a destination for all around the world.

The reasons for inequality in Botswana is to do with

1) The diamond industry is not labour intensive so employs other people

2) Someone has already mentioned it- but you have a large number of nomads who are living the same way as they did 2000 years ago and are pretty content with it. Can you imagine if, say, 20% of Americans wanted to roam the great plains with cattle. Inequality would shoot up instantly.

[QUOTE]
Originally Posted by Kingofthehill
Wow! Nice pictures people!

Not to nitpick or anything, but those are barely mid-rises let alone high rises.

Dante Xavier
True, but by Gaborone's standards they might as well be skyscrapers.

Gaborone was designed based on the European Garden City Concept first founded by Sir Ebenezer Howard in the United Kingdom, in 1898.

"His idealised garden city would house 32,000 people on a site of 6,000 acres (24,000,000 m2) = 24 sq km, planned on a concentric pattern with open spaces, public parks and six radial boulevards, 120 ft (37 m) wide, extending from the centre."

This concept called for nothing more than 3 storey buildings and thts the reason why Gaborone has a low skyline. Also on the point of it looking a bit more rural,its because of the Open spaces tht comes with the garden city model. The problem though is that these Open Spaces have not been developed and maintaned to serve their proper functions of beatifying the city and promotiong socialisation, thus the rural look.But nevertheless Gaborone is a very nice and beautiful city and has a potential of being better than it is today.

True, but by Gaborone's standards they might as well be skyscrapers.

Great photos Upington!

Gaborone was designed based on the European Garden City Concept first founded by Sir Ebenezer Howard in the United Kingdom, in 1898.

"His idealised garden city would house 32,000 people on a site of 6,000 acres (24,000,000 m2) = 24 sq km, planned on a concentric pattern with open spaces, public parks and six radial boulevards, 120 ft (37 m) wide, extending from the centre."

This concept called for nothing more than 3 storey buildings and thts the reason why Gaborone has a low skyline. Also on the point of it looking a bit more rural,its because of the Open spaces tht comes with the garden city model. The problem though is that these Open Spaces have not been developed and maintaned to serve their proper functions of beatifying the city and promotiong socialism, thus the rural look.But nevertheless Gaborone is a very nice and beautiful city and has a potential of being better than it is today.

They had an episode on House Hunters of a couple looking for a home in Gaborone. The houses looked sharp.

http://www.hgtv.com/house-hunters-international/slower-pace-of-life-in-gaborone-botswana/index.html

YOU HIT THE NAIL ON ITS HEAD!!!!

Good shots from Gaborone


PS: I COULDN´T HAVE SAID IT BETTER; JUST TURNED ON THE TV TO WATCH INSIDE AFRICA ON CNN AND I SWITCHED OFF AFTER A COUPLE OF MINUTES AGAIN ..... ALL WHAT THEY WERE SHOWING WAS AIDS AIDS AIDS AND AIDS:

Maybe the get "comsic orgasms" when all they can think of when hearing the word Africa is Aids and War.:ohno:
Am sure you are a very great enemy of the western media but I like you for that anyway................:lol::lol::lol:

Am told the tswana people pronounce the name as Khaburoni. Is it true?

^^ Gggg (hebrew type pronounciatiation), ah - buronhi!! yep, that's how you say it....