Overview:

Old Gaborone Prison Monument In Botswana is a public memorial to commemorate the history of the old Gaborone Prison, which served as a colonial jail from 1923 to 1963. The prison was notable for being the site of the Gaborone Massacre in 1949, when 72 people, including a number of African chiefs, were killed by British forces during a political uprising. The prison closed in 1963, and the grounds were turned into a park in 1965 as a memorial to the massacre victims. The Old Gaborone Prison Monument was designed by local firm Avanti Architects and dedicated in 2003. The monument is comprised of twelve concrete pillars, each inscribed with the names of victims, representing the 72 people who were killed during the massacre. The monument also features a small park with benches and walking paths, and a memorial plaque commemorating the victims and their bravery. You can learn history, culture, and heritage through these magnificent monuments in Botswana
Prominent Features:

1. A large four-sided granite obelisk monument stands in the former prison grounds, which is inscribed with images, facts, and symbols relating to the history of the prison. 2. The central obelisk bears the inscription “Old Gaborone Prison, the soul of our freedom”. 3. The monument is surrounded by a large concrete fence that marks the perimeter of the former prison grounds. 4. A mural depicting the Pan-African liberation struggle, created by renowned artist Tumelo, stretches along the side of the prison grounds, serving as a vivid reminder of the site's history. 5. The monument is dedicated to the memory of those who died and suffered in the prison. It also bears the symbol of resistance, reminiscent of similar symbols of liberation and struggle all over Africa. 6. The monument is situated on the site which formerly held the main prison buildings, and is now a grassy area with several benches for contemplation and reflection. 7. There is an accompanying information panel to explain the history of the prison and the significance of the monument. 8. The monument was built and maintained by the Botswana government as a symbol of freedom and justice in remembrance of the struggle for justice undergone by detainees in the old Gaborone Prison. This national monument of Botswana portrays the history and culture of the country.

History:

The Old Gaborone Prison Monument in Botswana is a reminder of the city’s past as a former British prison for political prisoners. The former prison compound was built in 1886 and served as a detention center for numerous political prisoners until it was converted into a museum in 1994. The memorial monument, which was erected in 2003, is located outside the prison complex and honors the many individuals who suffered and died under the oppressive Apartheid regime. The memorial itself, however, is not the only reminder of the prison’s past. In 2004, a sculpture of a young girl, Munjangwe, was unveiled outside the prison to honor the courage of the true freedom fighters of South Africa. The monument serves as a reminder of the pain and suffering of so many people who were locked away in this prison, as well as a symbol of freedom, justice, and reconciliation. You must visit one of these historical places in Botswana on your Botswana tour

Interesting facts:

1. The Old Gaborone Prison Monument is located at the site of a former British prison in Botswana’s capital city of Gaborone. 2. Built in 1925, this prison was used by the British as a place to detain and punish African prisoners from 1946 to 1988. 3. The prison operated as a detention centre for political prisoners during the Botswana’s independence struggle in the 1960s and 70s. 4. This monument site now serves as a memorial to commemorate those who suffered unimaginable conditions during their internment at the prison. 5. It was erected in 1994 as part of an effort in remembrance of the struggle for independence, unity and democracy in Botswana. 6. The memorial includes a collection of statues that represent the courage and strength of African freedom fighters. 7. The monument itself is symbolic of strength, of being rooted in the past and of looking to the future with hope. 8. The Old Gaborone Prison Monument is listed as a National Monument by the Botswana government. Visit one of the famous monuments of Botswana with your friends and family.