SI SMEAR CAMPAIGN ILL-INFORMED The Minister of Environment, Wildlife and Tourism says the smear campaign by Survival International (SI) on Botswana tourism is ill-informed and uncalled for. Mr Tshekedi Khama said this during the official opening of Mogonye community tourism facilities on Tuesday Augut 12. He said the ill-informed crusade by SI does not benefit anyone because Batswana and Basarwa were denied revenue accrued from the sector. “They are operating from an uninformed position and by preventing tourists to come to Botswana, they are also denying Basarwa developments that come as a result of finances accrued from tourism,” he said. On the facilities, Mr Khama, who is also the MP for Serowe North West, commended the Mmamotshwane Trust. He noted that many communities across Botswana have benefitted from community based natural resource management policies. The minister, who also signed a memorandum of understanding, called on residents of Mogonye to take ownership of the facility. He assured the trust of his ministry’s support, adding that they would do everything in their power to give the facility as much publicity as they can. The area MP, Mr Mokgweetsi Masisi commended the Southern District Council for having employed the services of Ipelegeng workers to construct both the gate house and camping facilities. The council, he said, has demonstrated that Ipelegeng was a force to reckon with and could be used to uplift individuals and communities alike. He noted that the government has injected over P600 million towards the programme to carry community works and create employment for many Batswana. For his part, Southern District Council chairperson, Mr Leach Tlhomelang said the council was a testimony that Ipelegeng could bear fruit. “Throughout the construction of these facilities, we have engaged up to 1 500 unskilled workers on rotational basis,” he said, adding that the district was awash with projects of similar magnitudes constructed by Ipelegeng workers. He advised the Mmamotshwane Trust to forge partnerships with potential business partners to further develop and expand the facilities. Kgosi Kebinatshwene Mosielele of Manyana had earlier pleaded with the Ministry of Environment, Wildlife and Tourism to help Bahurutshe develop a comprehensive business plan so that the tribe could harness natural resources within their area. He sighted historic places of interest such as Dinawe, MmaSechele and the David Livingstone tree among places that could lure tourists to the area, create employment and oust poverty. The Mmamotshwane Gorge is one of the seven gorges found around Mogonye, 31 kilometres from Gaborone. The gorge is a natural site boasting scenic beauty at the foot of the Mmamotshwane Hills. The gorge has a permanent water spring that fluctuates with the yearly seasons and amount of rainfall. Ends Source : BOPA
Posted on: Fri, 15 Aug 2014 05:45:45 +0000
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