Kolobeng: Livingstone's Botswana Mission

Kolobeng, located near Mmankgodi, Botswana, marks the site of David Livingstone's third and final mission station, established in 1847. Livingstone, accompanied by his wife Mary and their children, aimed to convert the local Bakwena people to Christianity while also providing education and medical assistance. He also sought to introduce new agricultural methods.Livingstone's mission included a church, a school, and his family residence. He successfully converted Sechele I, the leader of the Bakwena, and taught the tribe irrigation techniques using the Kolobeng River. However, a severe drought starting in 1848 strained relations, as the Bakwena blamed Livingstone for the natural disaster. In 1852, Boer farmers attacked the settlement during the Battle of Dimawe, leading to the mission's abandonment.Today, visitors can explore the remaining foundations of the church, Livingstone's house, and the remnants of the irrigation system. A fence was erected around the site in 1935, and it is now preserved by the Department of National Museum and Monuments. Kolobeng offers a serene environment to reflect on Livingstone's impact and the cultural exchanges that occurred here.