Overview:

The Ghanzi Monument is a sculpture located in the Ghanzi District in the north-western part of Botswana. It was constructed to commemorate the first Botswana Independence Day on 30th September 1966. The monument, designed by architecht Patrick Appiah-Marfo, is a twelve meter high granite carvings depicting a horseman standing before three cattle heads. The monument symbolizes the end of colonial rule in Botswana and the emergence of a new nation. The Ghanzi Monument is now recognized as a national monument and serves as a symbol of Botswana's struggle for freedom and independence. You can learn history, culture, and heritage through these magnificent monuments in Botswana
Prominent Features:

1. The Ghanzi Monument is a famous landmark in Botswana, traditionally associated with the Bushmen people. 2. The monument was built in 1976 to commemorate the liberation and resettlement of Bushmen people who were relocated from the Kalahari Desert during the colonial period. 3. The monument stands on a granite outcrop near the town of Ghanzi in north-west Botswana. 4. It is composed of two parts: a granite sculpture and a fishing hut built in the traditional style of the Bushmen people. 5. The granite sculpture is carved with reliefs of elands, cattle, a man with a bow, trees and geometric shapes. 6. The fishing hut symbolizes the traditional lifestyle of the Bushmen, that of hunting and gathering. 7. The monument is a popular tourist attraction and is often visited by travelers during their stay in Botswana. This national monument of Botswana portrays the history and culture of the country.

History:

The Ghanzi Monument in Botswana is a memorial to the victims of a tragedy that occurred in the district of Ghanzi in February 1994. In that month, three young members of the Zie community died in a vehicle accident while travelling from Maun to the town of Ghanzi. They were on their way home to visit their family during the school holiday break while attending school in Maun. The accident was attributed to a puncture and the vehicle losing control at high speed. The accident prompted the people of Ghanzi to organize a memorial in the remembrance of the three members of the Zie community who had perished in the crash. On 26th August 1994, the communities of Ghanzi unveiled a white marble monument, featuring a cross and the names of the three young individuals, at the site of the crash. Since then, this monument has become a point of pilgrimage and a symbol of hope for other Botswana infrastructure that will forever serve as an example for future generations of what can be achieved through unity and humility. The solemn memorial has also become an important memorial site for families who are awaiting the return of their children who have gone missing or have passed away. Each year on the anniversary of the tragedy families gather at the site to remember those no longer with them. You must visit one of these historical places in Botswana on your Botswana tour

Interesting facts:

1. The Ghanzi Monument is one of the oldest monuments in Botswana, dating back to the early 1800s. 2. The monument stands approximately 11 metres high and is made of an up-turned stone block with an upper-level platform supported by two pillars. 3. It is believed to have been built by San (Bushman) people as a place of gathering for ritual events and religious practices. 4. The primary function of the monument was to mark important events such as ceremonial meetings, rain-making ceremonies, and the healing of sick people. 5. The monument is now a popular tourist attraction in Ghanzi, and it is estimated that it attracts over 2000 visitors every year. 6. The monument has become a symbol of unity and solidarity among the people of Ghanzi and Botswana. Visit one of the famous monuments of Botswana with your friends and family.