Palapye
Palapye | |
---|---|
Central District | |
Sub-District | Serowe/Palapye |
Government | |
• Member of Parliament (MP) | Onneetse Ramogapi
Preceded by member of Parliament (MP) Moiseraele Master Goya |
• Chief | Masego Olebile preceded by Chief Raditanka Ntebele |
Elevation | 919 m (3,015 ft) |
Population (2011) UTC+2 (not observed) | |
Area code | 49xxxxx |
Climate | BSh |
Website | http://www.palapye.com/ |
Palapye is a growing town in Botswana, situated about halfway between Francistown and Gaborone (170 km (106 mi) from Francistown and 240 km (149 mi) from Gaborone). Over the years its position has made it a convenient stopover on one of Southern Africa's principal north–south rail and road routes.[2]
Located here is the
In 1997 Palapye was said to be the fastest-growing village in Africa, and was expected to expand its population from 30,000 to 180,000.
History
The
It existed up to 1902, and the ruins of its church, built in 1892, are still to be seen a few kilometres from Palapye's town centre. Chief Khama contributed some 3,000 pounds to its construction and took a keen interest in church affairs. The Bamangwato people's houses were initially clustered around the church, but finding its vicinity too rocky, they moved 1.5 km (0.93 mi) from Gaborone and away.[5]
The name Palapye, formerly rendered as Palachwe or Palapye, refers to the Impala antilope.[6]
Geography
Palapye is situated nearly 70 km (43 mi) north of the Tropic of Capricorn, by the Lotsane River, towards the central-eastern edge of Botswana.[7]
Kgotla | Population |
---|---|
Serorome | 10000 |
Boikago | 5000 |
Madiba | 6000 |
Lotsane | 8000 |
Thomaditshotse | 11000 |
Khurumela | 13000 |
Boseja | 3000 |
Morupule | 2000 |
Mmaphula | 15000 |
Rebaeng | 2500 |
Kgaswe | 900 |
Climate
Summer months are from mid-September to mid-April. Summers are very hot in Palapye, with daytime temperatures reaching up to 40 °C. Thunderstorms are plentiful in the summer. Rainfall levels reach usually a minimum of 300 mm annually. Winters in Palapye are mild and dry.[8]
Demographics
Palapye's population is believed to be bordering the 80,000 mark, however, this is not an official figure, with many quarters arguing that the actual number is much higher or lower. According to 2022 2022 Population and Housing Census preliminary results, Palapye has registered 3.3% population growth rate from 2011 it was 37,256 and in 2022 is 52,398,
Infrastructure and developments
The Palapye Water Affairs currently provides the town with an abundant supply of water. The works is located a few kilometres outside the town. The Affairs provides Serowe with water, through a new pipe network since 2008.[citation needed] Due to current
Plans for a new hospital, similar to the newly constructed Serowe Hospital, have also been proposed. A new police station has been completed in 2012. It is located along the A1 Highway in the old industrial area.
From being a mere stop-over, Palapye is rapidly developing to one of Botswana's main financial, residential, industrial and educational hubs. New malls and educational institutions continue to mushroom gradually in Palapye. The town's physical size has more than doubled since the 1990s.[citation needed]
Palapye also has a professional recording studio, called Ruff Riddims, built in early 2009. It is the first of its kind in Palapye.[12]
Sport
The main sport played in Palapye is
Education
University
Since the year 2000, rumours circulated of a university to be built in Palapye. After numerous delays and extensive research, a project was finally accepted in 2004. BIUST (Botswana International University of Science and Technology) began construction of its campus in December 2009.[14] The construction of the first phase of the university was expected to cost, close to P450 million. It was completed in late 2012, with the first students enrolled in August 2012. These first students, initial attended school in Oodi at Oodi College of Applied Arts and Technology whilst awaiting completion of the BIUST campus.[needs update] The university was intended to help ease the burden on the University of Botswana, in the country's capital, Gaborone. The University of Botswana was struggling to meet the demand for an increased number of students. The BIUST Campus is situated on a 2,500 hectares (9.7 sq mi) site on the Tswapong Hills, south east of Palapye [15] near the site of Palapye Water Affairs.
There is also a proposed plan by the University of Botswana to expand its Faculty of Medicine and locate it in Palapye.
Transport
Road
Palapye lies on the main A1 Highway, which connects Botswana's two major cities, Gaborone and Francistown. There is a secondary road that leads to Serowe, and later, Orapa and Lethlakane. In 2008, proposals were made to build a new Trans-Kalahari Railway to a port in Namibia.
Rail
The national railway, which connects all major towns and cities all over Botswana to each other, also passes through Palapye. The rail track through Palapye links the town to Gaborone and Francistown. Coal that is mined from other regions in Botswana, such as Selebi-Phikwe, is sent by rail to Palapye. A proposed rail link to Bulawayo, Zimbabwe has been touted to operate, but such plans are still to be considered by the government.
Air
Palapye Airport is a small airfield located just outside the town.
An International Airport, that will be located on the Palapye-Serowe road, is another development that is being considered. If plans do go ahead for the proposed Palapye International Airport, it will be the country's fifth international airport, after Sir Seretse Khama International Airport in Gaborone, Francistown Airport, Maun Airport and Kasane Airport, easing the increased traffic that is currently being experienced at the present airports. However, such plans have been put on halt due to the current renovations and expansion at Gaborone Airport and a newly renovated Francistown Airport.
Tourist attractions
There are several well-known tourist attractions close to Palapye.
The Tswapong Hills also have many areas of historical significance and well as the Moremi Gorge. This is an area of great beauty as it has a permanent water source.
About 20 km (12 mi) ESE of Palapye, close to the village of Malaka, are the remains of Phalatswe, also called Old Palapye, the capital of the
References
- ^ "2011 Census". Archived from the original on January 11, 2013.
- ^ "Palapye Travel Information". www.botswana-info.com. Retrieved 2020-05-26.
- ^ Writer, By Brian Benza
Staff (2010-02-22). "Construction Of 600 Mw Morupule B Power Station Begins". Mmegi Online. Retrieved 2022-05-30. - ^ "Palapye Travel Information". www.botswana-info.com. Retrieved 2020-05-26.
- JSTOR 41236043.
- ^ Raper, P. E. Palapye. Retrieved 28 October 2013.
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ignored (help) - ^ "Palapye Travel Information". www.botswana-info.com. Retrieved 2020-05-26.
- ^ "1996 Climate Map for Palapye".
- ^ "2022 Population and Housing Census Preliminary Results". Statistics Botswana. 2022-05-10. Retrieved 2022-05-30.
- ^ Statistics Botswana. "Serowe/Palapye Sub District, Population and Housing Census 2011Selected Indicators" (PDF).
- ^ "Moruple Colliery". Archived from the original on 2008-02-21. Retrieved 2008-02-23.
- ^ "Palapye's first recording studio". Mmegi. 26 April 2007. Retrieved July 29, 2009.
- ^ "FC Palapye".
- ^ "BIUST construction commencement". Mmegi. 27 April 2007. Retrieved December 11, 2009.
- ^ "The BIUST Campus". Archived from the original on 2015-06-15.
- ^ "History of Phalatswe".