Ghanzi is the capital of the Ghanzi District, and with over 12 000 residents, the largest village in the region.

In 1874 six European families under leadership of Hendrik van Zyl arrived in the Ghanzi region and obtained a concession from the local Tawana chief to farm the land. In 1898, after Bechuanaland became a British Protectorate, the British settled 37 European families around Ghanzi, in order to form a buffer against German colonisation from German South West Africa. Descendants of these families still live in Ghanzi, joined by other Afrikaner trekkers in the early years, and account for the large number of Afrikaans- and English-speaking people here. Other tribes include the San, Basarwa, Bakgalagadi and Baherero.

The people of Ghanzi mostly farm on some 200+ cattle farms surrounding the town, these provide more than 75% of the free-range beef that the Botswana exports to the EU and UK.

There are different views on the origin of the name Ghanzi (sometimes spelled Gantsi): some say it comes from the San word for a one-stringed musical instrument, others think it comes from the Setswana word 'gantsi' which means flies, while others say it comes from the Naro word 'gaentsii' that means 'swollen buttocks' and refers to the good condition of the antelope (and now cattle) which occurred in the region.

Though a small village of just over 5 550 people in 1991, Ghanzi's population almost doubled in 1998 after the completion of the Trans-Kalahari Highway between South Africa, Botswana and Namibia. Though not directly on the Trans-Kalahari Highway, this town is ideally situated on an excellent tarred road for travellers heading from Namibia towards the Okavango Delta and Panhandle, the central and northern regions of the Central Kalahari Game Reserve, and the northern regions of the Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park in Botswana. For those heading towards Namibia, it's only 200km from the Mamuno / Buitepos Border Post, and offers everything a traveller may need in the form of fuel, shopping and accommodation.

The Gantsi Craft Centre was established in 1983 as a training centre for the San, selling traditional handmade San crafts, including hand-dyed fabrics, musical instruments, bags and woven mats.

The small village of D’Kar, 35km north east of Ghanzi, is home to the Kuru Art Project, established by the Kuru Development Trust in 1990. The Trust trains the San artists of the Ghanzi region in the use of contemporary art material and techniques, and assists with the administration and marketing of their art. This artwork has won many awards and includes oil on canvas, lino prints, engravings and lithography. The income is used to improve the living conditions of the artists and their families, who are from the Naro and Dcui San groups.

Adjacent to the craft shops, is a small and interesting Kuru San Museum, ask someone from the craft shops to come and unlock for you.

ACCOMMODATION:
Many of the farms also do game ranching, and offer accommodation in lodges and campsites.

MEAT:
Depending on the status of Foot and Mouth Disease outbreaks, you may not be allowed to transport red meat from east to west, (for example travelling from Maun to Ghanzi) and your vehicle will be inspected at the Ngamiland Veterinary Control Gate for the presence of uncooked beef.

SHOPS & SERVICES:
Ghanzi is the agricultural centre for the surrounding cattle farms, and has supermarkets, banks and fuel stations.

TOW-INs:
For breakdown and towing services contact: Desert King 24 Hrs Breakdown Service on +267 77 044 210. For vehicle repairs contact NSI (Pty) Ltd: +267 72 941 774.

USEFUL NUMBERS:
Gantsi Craft: +267 659 6241; [email protected].
Kuru Art Project: [email protected]; www.kuruart.com.

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