The Tswana (Tswana: Batswana, singular Motswana)

The Tswana (Tswana: Batswana, singular Motswana)

The Tswana (Tswana: Batswana, singular Motswana) sometimes known as Western Sotho, are a Bantu-speaking ethnic group who are native to Southern Africa. The Tswana language belongs to the Sotho-Tswana language group which belongs to the Bantu language family group. Ethnic Tswana made up approximately 85% of the population of Botswana in 2011.

The Tswana are the native people of south-western Botswana and of the North West province of South Africa, where the majority of the Tswana live.

The largest number of ethnic Tswana people actually live in South Africa. They are one of the largest ethnic groups in the country, and the Tswana language is one of eleven official languages in South Africa.

The Tswana who are the largest ethnic group in Botswana is made of 8 tribes originally settled in the southern and central parts of Botswana.

The 8 Tswana tribes in Botswana are as follows:

Bangwaketse are found mostly in Kanye, a principal village of the Bangwaketse. They have also settled in Molapowabojang, Lotlhakane East, Mogonye, Selokolela, Semane, Maisane and Magoriapitse villages among others.

Barolong are found in the south-eastern part of Botswana in Goodhope, a principal village of the Barolong, Mabule, Makokwe, Pitsane, Tlhareseleele, Bethel and Metlojaneng amongst others. Interestingly, some Barolong are found in the north eastern part of Botswana, in Borolong and Matsiloje villages. These Barolong have their origins in Thabanchu, South Africa and have settled in the north east due to inter-tribal conflicts.

Bakwena are found in and around the Molepolole region. Molepolole is their principal village, being the most densely populated village in Botswana. Bakwena are also settled in Lentsweletau, Mahetlwe, Gakgatla, Gamodubu, Gabane, Hatsalatladi, Ramaphatle, Kopong, Kumakwane, Lephephe, Boatlaname, Metsimotlhabe and many others.

Bangwato who are settled in the central district of Botswana, are the largest tribe of the Tswana ethnic group. Their capital is Serowe village. They have also settled in Shoshong, Palapye, Mahalapye, Paje, Radisele, Dibete and many others.

Batlokwa who are a part of the Bakgatla tribe have their roots in a location called Tlokwe which is modern day Potchefstroom in South Africa, while in Botswana they have settled in Tlokweng, east of Gaborone.

Bakgatla are a tribe whose principal village is Mochudi, also in the southern part of Botswana, west of the capital city, Gaborone. They are also settled in Rasesa, Raserura, Pilane, Moshupa, Thamaga and many other neighbouring villages.

Balete, also called Bamalete, are found in villages such as Ramotswa, Otse, Mogobane and Metsimotlhabe.

Batawana are the only Tswana sub-ethnic group in Botswana that is not located in the southern part of Botswana. They migrated to the Ngamiland area for purposes of crop and livestock farming, hence they have settled around the Okavango delta. They are settled in Maun as the principal village, Kareng, Nokaneng, Sehitwa and many neighbouring other villages.