Overview:

is a protected area located in the Central District of Botswana. It is a national site of remembrance for the fallen heroes and veterans of the 1866 Sekgoma War, also known as the Setswana War. The cemetery is notable for its size, as it covers three hectares and contains hundreds of graves. The cemetery also includes a monument dedicated to those who died during the war, as well as various trees and other forms of local flora. You can learn history, culture, and heritage through these magnificent monuments in Botswana
Prominent Features:

1. First Municipal Cemetery of Francistown: Pioneer Cemetery, Francistown is the first Municipal Cemetery ever to be established in the town. Founded in 1868, it is the oldest graveyard in Botswana. 2. Historical Significance: The cemetery is of great historical significance with graves belonging to some of the earliest pioneers who settled in the area. The graves contain names and details of those buried here, including their professions, dates of death, and dedications. 3. Unique Statues: Pioneer Cemetery, Francistown is known for its unique statues that adorn various graves. Some of the statues include an angel drinking from a fountain, a kneeling angel, a figure of a woman reading a book, a man standing, and an angel with wings. 4. Unique Architecture: The graves at Pioneer Cemetery, Francistown feature unique architecture. Different shapes, sizes, and types of headstones are visible, with some of the graves featuring metal crosses, large granite stones, and ornate stone memorial plaques. 5. Cemetery Park: In 1995, a section of the Pioneer Cemetery, Francistown was made into a park with benches and pathways for visitors to enjoy. This is a place of great natural beauty and tranquillity for locals and tourists to appreciate. This national monument of Botswana portrays the history and culture of the country.

History:

The Pioneer Cemetery in Francistown, Botswana, is the oldest cemetery in the country and is thought to date back to the 1890s. It is home to a range of graves, paupers', and unexplained tombs and is a reminder of Francistown’s pioneer past. The Pioneer Cemetery was an important burial place for the early settlers and indigenous people living in and around the area. The first documented burial recorded in the cemetery was in 1887. This was a Ndebele woman who belonged to the Ndebele Kalanga Tribe. It is believed that the cemetery was used as an area for family members of the settlers from Britain and also for the African tribes. The Pioneer Cemetery has been in use since the late 19th century, however, it was not until 1997 that it was officially recognized by the Botswana government as a historical landmark and conservation site. This recognition was made possible by the Francistown Civic Trust. In addition, the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) recognized the cemetery as part of their World Heritage Protection Program. The cemetery is located along the banks of the Tati River, which is now a part of the country’s tourism trail. During visits to the cemetery, tourists can observe the many graves and explore the surrounding area. Many of the graves have headstones or markers with information about the people buried there. Visitors can also learn about the cemetery’s history and explore the stories of those who were laid to rest. Today, the Pioneer Cemetery remains an important part of the city’s history and a reminder of the lives of those who were laid to rest there. It is a reminder of the struggles that Francistown’s pioneers faced and is an important historical site for the nation. You must visit one of these historical places in Botswana on your Botswana tour

Interesting facts:

1. Pioneer Cemetery is one of the oldest cemeteries in Botswana, having been in use since 1922. 2. It is located in the centre of Francistown and is the final resting place for many of the adventurers and early pioneers of Botswana. 3. It was declared a national monument in 1986 and is now gazetted as an historical site of national importance. 4. Pioneer Cemetery has been referred to many times as the "Valley of the Dead" due to its reputation as a place of death. 5. During the British Colonial period in Botswana, Pioneer Cemetery served as a burial ground for the colonial masters. 6. This cemetery is said to have been used as a temporary burial ground for those who were moved from the old Bulawayo Cemetery, which is now located in Zimbabwe. 7. The cenotaph, which stands in Pioneer Cemetery, was erected to commemorate the dead of the British South African Police and Native personnel during the First World War. 8. The last graves to be laid in Pioneer Cemetery were in 1986 for the unmarked graves of three unknown workers who were killed in a road accident. Visit one of the famous monuments of Botswana with your friends and family.