Three Dikgosi Monument: Botswana’s Tribute to Its Visionary Chiefs

The Story Behind the Monument

The Three Dikgosi Monument in central Gaborone honours three 19th-century chiefs whose diplomacy kept Botswana from becoming part of Cecil Rhodes’s British South Africa Company. Khama III of the Bangwato, Sebele I of the Bakwena and Bathoen I of the Bangwaketse travelled to London in 1895 and successfully petitioned Queen Victoria to place their territories under direct Crown protection rather than company rule. Their statues, cast in bronze and set on a granite plinth, face north toward the route the chiefs once took.

What You Will See

Each figure stands roughly four metres tall, dressed in traditional regalia and holding a staff or knobkerrie. Inscriptions in English and Setswana recount the 1895 mission. The surrounding paved plaza offers clear sightlines for photographs and includes low stone benches where visitors can sit and read interpretive panels that explain the chiefs’ individual roles in land rights and education.

How to Get There and Move Around

The monument lies within easy walking distance of the city’s government precinct and the National Museum. Most travellers arrive by taxi, ride-hailing app or on foot from the nearby bus rank. A gentle slope leads from the street to the plaza; the surface is smooth enough for wheelchairs and strollers. Allow 30 to 45 minutes to view the statues, read the panels and take photographs.

Best Time to Visit

Gaborone’s dry winter months (May to September) bring cooler temperatures and clear skies, making the metal statues comfortable to approach even at midday. Early morning or late afternoon light is ideal for photography because it reduces harsh reflections on the bronze. National holidays, especially Botswana Independence Day on 30 September, often feature wreath-laying ceremonies that add context to the site.

Nearby Places Worth Combining

After visiting the monument, continue to the National Museum and Art Gallery for exhibits on Botswana’s pre-colonial history, or walk south to the Parliament buildings whose modern architecture contrasts with the traditional dress of the chiefs. A short drive north reaches the Mokolodi Nature Reserve, where day visitors can see rescued wildlife and learn about conservation efforts that echo the chiefs’ early concern for land stewardship.

Practical Considerations for Visitors

• Carry water and wear a hat; shade is limited on the open plaza.
• Respect the site as a place of national pride—photographs are welcome, but climbing on the plinth is not.
• Combine the visit with a morning at the National Museum to understand the wider historical setting without extra travel time.