1. GEOGRAPHICAL PLACE NAMES ACTIVITIES IN BOTSWANA
Oasis Motel
23rd – 25th Nov. 2011
Ms Lucy M Phalaagae

2. GEOGRAPHICAL PLACE NAMES ACTIVITIES
History- Botswana Place Names Commission (PNC)
PNC Functions
PNC Achievements
Challenges

3. BOTSWANA PLACE NAMES COMMISSION (PNC)
History- Presidential Directive CAB 51/67
Objective of the Directive – Examine all the Geographical Place Names in the country and correct their spelling
Check names shown on official maps of Botswana for correct location, research their origin, derivation and spelling.

4. BOTSWANA PLACE NAMES COMMISSION (PNC)
The Commission consisted of seven members appointed by the then Minister of Local Government and Lands for their knowledge on the history of Botswana, South African Linguistics and their extensive knowledge on the culture and customs of the respective regions they represented.
The chairman and the secretary were from the Department of Surveys and Mapping.

5. FUNCTIONS OF THE BOTSWANA PLACE NAMES
To examine all geographical place names in relation to:
The language from which the name derives.
The local pronunciation.
The recognized meaning.
The historical background and the place from which it relates to.
Conformation with recognized orthographies.

6. FUNCTIONS OF THE BOTSWANA PLACE NAMES
First list of names published in 1970 after holding 26 meetings.
List contained 1043 names and included 143 spellings approved under Presidential Directive CAB 59/70 and Bill No. 36 of 1970. 6

7. ACHIEVEMENTS OF THE BOTSWANA PLACE NAMES
During the commissions existence over 200 meetings were held in conjunction with District Commissioners, Tribal Authorities and village elders in all areas visited.
Four PNC reports published.
Despite the non functional of the Commission Department of Surveys and Mapping has continued the collection of names through its field staff.

8. PNC CHALLEGES
Difficulty in authenticating of place names including spelling.
Different communities would often have different names for the same feature or place eg a name of a village in northern Botswana Tsienyane/Rakops.
Tribal disputes over the origins and true meaning attached to the names.
None availability of an Act of parliament make the work of the commission difficult.

9. PNC CHALLEGES Need to standardize names to eliminate misspellings.
Need for new legislation to guide and legitimize the commission.
Need for a Botswana Geographical Names Database.
Need for awareness on the importance of the use of correct geographical place names.

10. END THANK YOU Lucy Phalaagae
Dept. Surveys and Mapping Tel. (0267)