LOBATSE: A TOWN OF SENTIMENTAL MEMORIES

LWhen government put the final nail on the coffin by relocating the High Court Headquarters to the capital city, Gaborone, many hopes were shattered. Bandleng, as affectionately called by its natives and the country, has become a ghost town with each passing day.

But this is no ordinary town. It is a town that has documented many things for this country pre- and post- independence.

A media tour over the weekend by Bush Train organisers proved that while this is a forgotten town, life can still be breathed into it to reenergise the locals. Revellers and tourists can still have an unforgettable experience of a great town. Much has not been explained or shared about Lobatse and its significance in the country’s independence, democracy and growth across sectors. Lobatse has not been explored enough to appreciate its offerings. This is the town that housed the country’s first Legislative Council, which gave birth to the current Botswana. Lobatse has always been a metropolis town where executive decisions of countries were taken. It is home to the monument of Fish Keitseng residence in the popular Peleng location, a place that played a pivotal role in the liberation of neighbouring South Africa and the Southern African region. Lobatse is also home to the Kgaboesele family. The family accommodated the late Samora Machel, who was on transit during his struggle to liberate Mozambique. The house has been turned into Samora Machel monument. Machel, like Nelson Mandela used Lobatse as a transit to work for their liberation movements. These, together with the historical Peleng Dam are some of the tourism areas to be explored in the town. Fighting for the survival of the town, Bush Train and

Lobatse Town Council have come together to breathe life into this beautiful forgotten town. With the aim of promoting the usually quiet town through entertainment and tourism, plans have been made to host Bush Train Fiesta, a brain child of a group of young people who believe Lobatse can be great again. The inaugural annual event could not make its debut last year December due to COVID- 19 and regulations put in place. Organisers are hopeful that the colourful event will be able to happen this year. Bush Train Fiesta combines entertainment in the commuter train which will be ferrying people from Gaborone to Lobatse and a further entertainment at Crescent English Medium School grounds. Crescent is also an old school in the country. It is the organisers’ hope that this will lure tourists to the town and ignite its economy. Bush Train fiesta, according to organisers, is aimed at promoting urban and rural tourism and encourage local tourism by citizens and non- citizens. The fiesta is inspired by the Victoria Falls Carnival in Zimbabwe, which has boosted that country’s tourism.