Botswana National Museum and Monuments to expand

Botswana National Museum and Monuments is planning to build two museums in Gaborone and Francistown under NDP 11. The Gaborone museum, which will be based at the Village, and dedicated to biodiversity and conservation, has been dubbed the Ivory Museum while the Francistown museum will be dedicated to Geology and mines. The revelation was made last week ahead of the golden jubilee celebrations, by Deputy Director of Botswana National Museum and Monuments, Stephen Mogotsi. Mogotsi told a media briefing that they are hoping to start next year and that this will be a three-year project. “An elephant will be part of the display and other species such as Kgori and rhino,” said Mogotsi. He said they are aso planning to develop 20 monuments, revamp and refurbish six regional museums under NDP 11. Other plans in the pipeline include modernising the permanent exhibion at the headquarters, developing site museums such as those at Ntsweng in Molepolole and Old Palapye near Malaka village. “We shall also continue to contribute to the enhancement of the cosmopolitan character of our country especially in cities. “This will be achieved through public art programmes such as those at the Sir Seretse Khama International Airport and Francistown International Airport, Parliament buildings, and Tropic of Capricorn.” Meanwhile, the museum has recruited a qualified anthropologist who is visually impaired to act as the museum’s conscience and advocate in advancing proactive programmes for the disabled. Additionally, a fresh partnership and adoption has just been started with ‘Embrace Emotions’ a society and advocacy group on matters of mental illness in the society.