North-East District – Land of the BaKalanga
The North-East District lies in Botswana's east, bordering Zimbabwe along the Ramokgwebana River and the Central District along the Shashe River. It is predominantly home to the Kalanga-speaking BaKalanga, whose language and culture give the region its distinct identity.
The area is historically connected to Francistown, its capital and the scene of Southern Africa's first gold rush in the 19th century, when gold was found being mined by the BaKalanga along the Tati River. Today the district is administered by a district administration and council and remains a close-knit rural region with strong traditions. Do you know old stories or customs of the BaKalanga? Share them with our community!