22 Jul 2015

The naming of geographical places in Botswana was previously done by the Botswana Place Names Commission which was established by a presidential directive CAB.51/67 of 1967.

The Minister of Lands and Housing, Mr Prince Maele told Parliament that the overall function of the commission was to examine all the geographical place names in the country and verification of their correct spelling. 

Mr Maele said such names were collected from communities through consultation with district commissioners, tribal authorities and village elder’s knowledgeable in names of the area concerned.

At the local level, he explained that the naming of streets and wards in towns and villages respectively were done by local authorities in consultation with the local community, as per the provisions of the Local Government Act.

He said place names such as blocks, phases and extensions were used for mapping purposes only, “and are not in any way intended to be permanent names of those localities.”

Gabane-Mmankgodi MP, Maj. Gen. Pius Mokgware had asked the minister if he was aware that the naming of localities were done without consultation and consent of the local people, and that the naming killed the traditions and history associated with such localities. 

Maj. Gen. Mokgware also wanted to know measures in place to correct the situation. Ends