The first radio signals were received in Bechuanaland in 1927. On 18 May 1934, a Bechuanaland Protectorate Resident Commissioner demanded the extension of the facilities to other parts of the colony. Radio Bechuanaland started its 24-hour
(24/7) broadcast in 1965 as a primary broadcaster in Botswana. Radio Bechuanaland was developed with the aid of the
South African citizen who was also the former police radio officer during that time by the name
Peter Nel. Radio Bechuanaland served the nationals and was transmitted at an output of 500 watts. The station came on air at 3356
kHz. Radio Bechuanaland started operating in a police station located in a small town called
Lobatse. The main focus of this station was to bring people closer to information about their small country (arts, culture and entertainment).
1968 Radio Bechuanaland became part of the Ministry of home affairs department
Botswana at the president's office which later formed the department called Information services. During Apartheid rule in
South Africa, Radio Botswana's programming was received in many Setswana-speaking areas of the country.
1978 Radio Bechuanaland officially joined the information and broadcasting services Botswana
Radio Bechuanaland programmes in 1966 August programme
Sundays • 5:30hrs to 6:00hrs ---------------> Hospital requests • 6:00hrs to 6:10hrs --------------->
BBC news • 6:10hrs to 6:15hrs ---------------> Programme parade • 6:15hrs to 6:30hrs ---------------> Music for all • 6:30hrs to 07:00hrs --------------> Church service • Weather Forecast
Mondays • 3:34hrs to 4:00hrs ---------------> Soccer news • 4:00hrs to 4:10hrs --------------->
BBC news • 4:10hrs to 4:20hrs ---------------> English news • 4:20hrs to 4:30hrs ---------------> Tswana news • 4:40hrs to 4:45hrs ---------------> Women's Magazine • 4:45hrs to 7:15hrs ---------------> News of the week • Weather forecast
Tuesdays • 3:30hrs to 4:00hrs ----------------> Dikopo • 4:00hrs to 4:30hrs ---------------->
BBC news • 4:30hrs to 4:40hrs ----------------> English news • 4:40hrs to 4:50hrs ----------------> Tswana news • 4:50hrs to 7:45hrs ----------------> Dipina tsa mo gae • 7;45hrs to 7:50hrs ----------------> A re ithuteng ditso • Weather forecast
Wednesdays • 3:30hrs to 4:00hrs ----------------> Thuto ka mawatle • 4:00hrs to 4:10hrs ---------------->
BBC news • 4:10hrs to 4:20hrs ----------------> English news • 4:20hrs to 4:30hrs ----------------> Tswana news • 4:30hrs to 7:00hrs ----------------> Classical music • 7:00hrs to 7:15hrs ----------------> Special programme from overseas • Weather forecast
Thursdays • 3:30hrs to 4:00hrs ----------------> Thuto ka mawatle • 4:00hrs to 4:10hrs ---------------->
BBC news • 4:10hrs to 4:20hrs ----------------> English news • 4:20hrs to 4:30hrs ----------------> Tswana news • 4:30hrs to 7:00hrs ----------------> Classical music • 7:00hrs to 7:15hrs ----------------> Special programme from overseas • Weather forecast
Fridays • 3:30hrs to 4:00hrs ----------------> Festival/Meletso • 4:00hrs to 4:10hrs ---------------->
BBC news • 4:10hrs to 4:20hrs ----------------> English news • 4:20hrs to 4:30hrs ----------------> Tswana news • 4:30hrs to 7:15hrs ----------------> Calling all farmers/Piletso ya balemi • 7:15hrs to 7:25hrs ----------------> Talk on community development/Polelo ka tsa loago • Weather forecast
Saturdays • 3:30hrs ----------------> Inola • 4:00hrs ------------------> News • 4:14hrs -------------------> Dikopo • 4:30hrs to 7:00hrs ----------------> Kakwano le kakoo
Radio Bechuanaland employees in 1966 • Mr.
Bernard Palmer: Broadcasting advisor •
Ian Kennedy : Chief engineer •
Lucas Kgang : Moanamisi •
Joshua chelenyane : Moanamisi •
Gabriel Nyammbe : Morulaganyi •
Douglas Moiketsi •
Noel Pilane: Moanamisi Dingaan Mochila broadcasting officer == Broadcasting in Bechuanaland ==