Mmatshumo is a village in the Boteti District in
Botswana
Botswana, officially the Republic of Botswana, is a landlocked country in Southern Africa. Botswana is topographically flat, with approximately 70 percent of its territory part of the Kalahari Desert. It is bordered by South Africa to the sou ...
. The village was established around 1939–1941 as a results of severe drought experienced in
Mopipi. The establishment was effected at the same time with that of
Letlhakane,
Mosu and
Gweta villages.The inhibitants are of diverse tribes (
Bakaa, Bakalaka, Bateti, Bakhurutshe, Basarwa,
Kololo people
The Kololo or Makololo are a subgroup of the Sotho-Tswana peoples, Sotho-Tswana people native to Southern Africa. In the early 19th century, they were displaced by the Zulu people, Zulu, migrating north to Barotseland, Zambia. They conquered the ...
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Barotsi, Bangwato and some remnants of Bakgatla) who live harmoniously together and intermary. The inhabitants practice agriculture to sustain themselves. The village is located close to the
Makgadikgadi Pan
The Makgadikgadi Pan ( Tswana pronunciation ), a salt pan situated in the middle of the dry savanna of north-eastern Botswana, is one of the largest salt flats in the world. The pan is all that remains of the formerly enormous Lake Makgadi ...
. An area of wide open uninhabited spaces with endless horizons i.e. the remains of what used to be the largest ancient mainland superlake. The village is a gate way to
Lekhubu Island The village has administrative offices i.e. kgotla currently headed by kgosi Phetsogang, primary school, postoffice, bars (with the famous
Land and Camp leading the pack especially during holidays), shops and a health clinic.
In the north of Mmatshumo village lies
Khubu Island aka Gaio and in the south of this village lies Damtshaa diamond mine operated by Debswana Company. The road linking Letlhakane in the south to Mmatshumo is tarred. Due to the diamond mining activities in the vicinity of this village, it is expected to see population and business boom in the coming years. According to 2022 Botswana Population and Housing Census, Mmatshumo and associated localities had a total population of 1719.
References
Populated places in the Central District (Botswana)
Villages in Botswana
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