Timeline of Gaborone

The following is a of the history of the city of Gaborone, Botswana.

Prior to 20th century

1960-1966 - Gaberones becomes capital of independent Botswana
1963 - Town construction begins.
1964
Bechuanaland Daily News begins publication.
Population: 3,855.
1965
British colonial Bechuanaland Protectorate capital relocated to Gaberones from Mafeking.
Gaborone Secondary School built.
1966
Gaberones becomes capital of independent Botswana.
Botswana National Stadium opens.
Derek Jones becomes mayor.
1968 - Botswana National Museum built.
1969
Gaberones renamed "Gaborone."
Debswana Diamond Company Ltd headquartered in Gaborone.
1971 - Population: 17,718.
1975 - Sister city relationship established with Burbank, California.
1979 - Serara Ketlogetswe becomes mayor.
1980
Mosque built.
Southern African Development Community headquartered in Gaborone.
1982
University of Botswana established.
University of Botswana Stadium opens.
1984
14 June: Raid on Gaborone.
Seretse Khama International Airport opens.
Paul Mmlotsi Rantao becomes mayor.
Mmegi newspaper begins publication.
1985 - Botswana Gazette newspaper begins publication.
1988 - Gaborone Broadcasting Company established.
1991
Population: 133,468.
Botswana College of Agriculture established near city.
1993 - "The Voice Newspaper" begins publication
1995 - Botswana Stock Exchange and Botswana Institute for Development Policy Analysis headquartered in city.
1998 - Fictional The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency book series begins publication.
1999 - Nelson Ramaotwana becomes mayor.

2001 - Population: 186,007.
2002 - Reteng founded.
2003 - Uniao Flamengo Santos Football Club formed.
2004 - Harry Mothei becomes mayor.
2005 - The Voice Newspaper becomes Botswana's best selling newspaper and goes digital.
2005 - Population: 208,000.
2007 - National Botanical Garden opens.
2009
Steinmetz Gaborone Marathon begins.
Veronica Lesole becomes mayor.
2011
May: 2011 African Junior Athletics Championships held.
Haskins Nkaigwa becomes mayor.
2013 - De Beers rough diamond sales headquarters relocated to Gaborone from London.
2014 - May: 2014 African Youth Games held in Gaborone.
2017 - Population: 264,311 (estimate).
2019 - Thata Father Maphongo becomes mayor.