 The city changed its name from Gaberones to Gaborone in 1969.The modern town was only founded in 1964, after a decision was taken to establish a capital for Botswana, which became a self governing territory in 1965, before becoming a fully independent republic at independence in 30 September 1966.In 1965, the capital of the Bechuanaland Protectorate moved from Mafeking to Gaberones.