Southern is one of the districts of Botswana. The capital of Southern district is Kanye, home to the Bangwaketse and Barolong in Botswana. The Southern district is home to Botswana's second largest beef farmers where there are large privately owned ranges, and several government run beef ranges which provide agricultural support to the local farmers. Maize and sorghum, Botswana's staple crop, are also raised in the area. Southern district is where the third diamond mine of Botswana was found (the Jwaneng diamond mine), which buoys Botswana's economic state of prosperity. It was the first district to house the capital city before being moved to Gaborone after independence.

In the south, Southern borders the North West Province of South Africa. Domestically, it borders South-East District in east, Kweneng District in north, Kgalagadi District and south west.

As of 2011, the total population of the district was 197,767 compared to 171,652 in 2001. The growth rate of population during the decade was 1.43. The total number of workers constituted 51,187 with 29,043 males and 22,141 females, with a majority involved in agriculture. The district is administered by a district administration and district council which are responsible for local administration.

Geography

In the south, Southern borders the North West Province of South Africa. Domestically, it borders South-East District in east, Kweneng District in north, Kgalagadi District and south west. Southern District is traversed by the northwesterly line of equal latitude and longitude. Most part of Botswana has tableland slopes sliding from east to west. The region has an average elevation of around above the mean sea level. The vegetation type is Savannah, with tall grasses, bushes and trees. The annual precipitation is around , most of which is received during the summer season from November to May. Most of the rivers in the region are seasonal prone to flash floods. Southern district is where the third diamond mine of Botswana was found (the Jwaneng diamond mine), which drives Botswana's economic state of prosperity.

Administration Botswana gained independence from the British in 1966 and adapted the colonial administration framework to form its district administration. The policies were modified during 1970–74 to address some of the basic issues. The district is administered by a district administration and district council which are responsible for local administration. The policies for the administration are framed by the Ministry of Local Government. The major activities of the council are Tribal Administration, Remote Area Development and Local Governance. The executive powers of the council are vested on a commissioner appointed by the central government. Technical services wing of the Department of Local Government is responsible for developing roads, infrastructure in villages like water supply, schools and recreational facilities. All the staff of the local administration expect District Administration are selected via Unified Local Government Services (ULGS) and the Ministry of Local Government is responsible for their training, deployment and career development.

The sub-districts of Southern District created as a part of National Development Park of the district are Barolong, Ngwaketse and Ngwaketse West.

In the 2022 Census the following are listed as big villages under each sub-district: +Ngwaketse West Sub-district: 23,248Barolong sub-district : 58,384Ngwaketse District : 140,296Village Population19811991200120112022Village Population19811991200120112022Village Population19811991200120112022Village Mabutsane 1,220Village Pitsane Siding 4,312Village Kanye 48,028Village Morwamosu 763Village Tlhareseleele 775Village Ranaka 3,207Village Sekoma2,096Village Pitsana-Potokwe1,012Village Lotlhakane West 2,056Village Khonkhwa 418   Village Rakhuna 1,980 Village Gasita 1,188Village Keng403   Village Malokaganyane 239 Village Lorolwana 2,225Village Khakhea 1,141    Village Bethel 430Village Kgomokasitwa 1,669Village Kokong655    Village Dinatshana 750  Village Pitseng 1,526Village Kanaku1,141     Village Ngwatsau407Village Lekgolobotlo 1,334 Village Mahotshwane 2,507    Village Ramatlabama1,575  Village Seherelela 884Village Itholoke 1,181Village Good Hope 5,672  Village Lotlhakane 6,045Village Kutuku 847  Village Mokatako 837    Village Sese 6,798Village Maokane 1,471  Village Tswanyaneng333   Village Sesung 1,006Village Mokhomba 768  Village Metlojane 914  Village Magotlhwane 1,751Village Semane 770Village Borobadilepe 330  Village Segwagwa 1,008Village Lefoko 1,150  Village Hebron 890  Village Manyana 3,750Village Tsonyane 695Village Logagane492    Village Dipotsana 113 Village Tlhankane 1,077  Village Tswagare/Lothoje/Lokalana 891  Village Diabo 261  Village Makokwe 137      Village Molapowabojang 8,722  Village Marojane266   Village Ralekgetho 554     Village Papatlo 452     Village Moshaneng1,961    Village Phihitshwane 437     Village Moshupa 23,858    Village Molete 390    Village Ntlhantlhe 2,842   Village Ditlharapa688     Village Tshwaane 193     Village Madingwana331      Village Selokolela 1,750   Village Kgoro818      Village Mogonye 1,081 Village Sheep Farm 273Village Betesankwe 507       Village Mogwalale375       Village Gathwane 1,099        Village Digawana4,356  Village Magoriapitse 1,048        Village Lejwana829        Village Mogojogojo 981        Village Mmathethe5,421   Village Mokgomane 847       Village Phitshane Molopo 1,625    Village Sedibeng 744  Village Musi 224     Village Tswaaneng 771   Village Gamajalela 571     Village Dikhukhung303    Village Leporung 646      Village Mmakgori 749       Village Mabule 1,835    Village Tshidilamolomo 754      Village Metlobo 1,039     Village Lorwana 1,721      Village Kangwe 142       Village Sekhutlane 1,266

Demographics

As of 2011, the total population of the district was 197,767 compared to 171,652 in 2001. The growth rate of population during the decade was 1.43. The population in the district was 9.77 per cent of the total population in the country. The sex ratio stood at 93.97 for every 100 males, compared to 92.25 in 2001. The average house hold size was 3.51 in 2011 compared to 4.60 in 2001. There were 5,405 craft and related workers, 1,656 clerks, 11,018 people working in elementary occupation 724 legislators, administrators and managers 2,069 plant and machine operators and assemblers, 1,195 professionals, 3,820 service workers, shop and market sales workers, 3,646 skilled agricultural and related workers, and 2,705 technicians and associated professionals, making the total work force 32,431.

Education and economy As of 2011, there were a total of 128 schools in the district, with 8.30 per cent private schools. The total number of students in the Council schools was 40,973, while it was 1,602 in private schools. The total number of students enrolled in the district was 42,575: 20,704 girls and 21,871 boys. The total number of qualified teachers was 1,819, 1,370 female and 449 male. There were around 73 temporary teachers, 41 male and 114 female. There were 2 untrained teachers in the district.

As of 2006, 18,751 were involved in Agriculture, 1,832 in Construction, 5,042 in Education, 304 in Electricity & Water, 399 in Finance, 1,339 in Health, 1,082 in Hotels & Restaurants, 4,059 in Manufacturing, 373 in Mining and Quarrying, 1,012 in Other Community Services, 1,758 in Private Households, 4,635 in Public Administration, 2,480 in Real Estate, 1,399 in Transport & Communications6,722 in Wholesale & Retail Trade. The total number of workers constituted 51,187 with 29,043 males and 22,141 females.

See also Sub-districts of Botswana

References