Serule

Kgosi Modisa of Serule has also graciously agreed to let us use his kgotla to raise cancer awareness. He will also be sending a small delegation to walk with us.

Serule is a village in Central District of Botswana. The village is located along the road between Francistown and Palapye, and is an important railroad junction with rails leading towards north to Francistown, south to Palapye and east to the mining town of Selebi-Phikwe, 72 km from Palapye north up the A1 road, 88 km from Francistown down south the A1 road and 60 km west of Selibe Phikwe to the T-Junction. 

Demographics

The population according to the 2001 census was 2,268 and it is estimated at more than 3000 in the latest 2011 census. The people of Serule Village comprise of different ethnicities namely Bangwato, Bakwena, Batalaote, Bakalanga, Bahurutshe and its five wards are Borotsi, Mokwena, Botalaote, Basimaneng and Leupane.

Infrastructural development

Although Serule is a small village with a small population, over the past decades there have been significant growth in terms of infrastructural development. The housing system is evidently almost at par with urban and modern houses. Much of the amenities that can be seen in other parts of Botswana and urban places are present in Serule. Botswana's Number 10 Police Commanding District is situated in Serule. Its strategic position along the country's main A1 road has led to the establishment of the WeightBridge for trucks and other big vehicles in the early 2000s. The village also enjoys a significant kilometres of tarred roads within. Also present is the Majoje monument, situated in the Majoje hills which is like a museum of the village.

Economy

The people of Serule Village are mostly farmers and depend much on agriculture although there is a significant number of natives who eke out a living from both formal and informal employment within the village and outside in urban areas. A majority of them are into subsistence farming. They own livestock in cattleposts of Makgorwane, Libu, Xomexhwa, and Seokane. Majoje lands are the most common place for the natives where they till the land for agricultural production.
Small scale manufacturing for household items is also evident as well as traces of handicrafts and wood carvings. There is a high rate of harvesting of the seasonal caterpillar of a Mopane worm known as Phane (scientific name Gonimbrasia belina). Phane is an important source of protein for millions of indigenous Southern Africans and a valuable source of income where it is sold after being harvested, cooked and dried.