Gaborone, estimated population 186,000 (2001), is the capital of Botswana. . Often described as Africa's fastest growing city, Botswana's capital Gaborone is a vibrant and colourful city, which lies in the flat valley between Kgale and Oodi hills, on the Notwane River in the south eastern corner of Botswana, 15 km from the South African border post at Tlokweng. Before 1969, the city was known as Gaberones[2]. Gaberones replaced Mafeking as the capital of the Bechuanaland Protectorate in 1965. Edit this section or read more