The Three Dikgosi Monument in Gaborone

In the Central Business District of Gaborone, Botswana's capital, stands the Three Dikgosi Monument. The 7-metre (23 ft) tall bronze monument features 5.4-metre (18 ft) tall statues of Khama III, Sebele I, and Bathoen I. These three dikgosi (tribal chiefs) are recognised as foundational figures in the nation's history. The monument was inaugurated on 29 September 2005 by former President Festus Mogae and features Botswana's coat of arms in front of the three statues.

In 1895, the three travelled to Great Britain accompanied by Christian missionaries. They convinced the British government not to merge the Bechuanaland Protectorate with Cecil Rhodes's British South Africa Company following threats to merge the two entities. This granted Botswana British protection until its independence in 1966. The three were declared "Founders of the Nation" by the government-owned Kutlwano Magazine at the time of independence and were later adopted as icons of unitary nationalism.

Six plinths at the feet of the statues provide information about Botswana's history. These describe periods ranging from the Mfecane period and the resistance against the Ndebele and Boer people to the request for protection in 1895, the period of extreme poverty in the early 20th century, Botswana's role in the Second World War, and finally its independence in 1966. While the monument commemorates these figures, it has faced criticism for not including Sechele I, a figure who led the Batswana to victory in the Battle of Dimawe.

Sources: Wikipedia, OpenStreetMap, Wikidata, Wikimedia Commons