Africa-Press – Botswana. President Dr Mokgweetsi Masisi is scheduled to officially open the Okavango River Bridge on January 21.
Dubbed Mohembo Bridge by the public, the 1.2 kilometers long bridge will not only boost the tourism sector but will also ease movement of people and goods in the Okavango area.
Constructed at a cost of about P1 billion, the bridge connects villages on the eastern side of the Okavango (Mohembo East) to Mohembo West, which is affectionately known as overseas to the community.
The bridge was opened for the public use on June 2022 by the Minister of Transport and Public Works, Mr Eric Molale.
In an interview, Kgosi Mutemo Mbambo of Shakawe expressed gratitude for the Okavango River Bridge as it brought to an end reliance on the ferry (pontoon) which had its benefits and woes.
Kgosi Mbabo reminisced that the ferry which was introduced in the late 1970s in the Okavango was welcomed with excitement by the community.
“It eased movement across the river and made it possible for vehicles to cross the Okavango River for the first time,” said Kgosi Mbabo.
“Only a few individuals who lived ‘overseas’ such as two school heads and the then Member of Parliament had vehicles and were now able to drive across the river with the aid of a ferryboat. Some government vehicles were also afforded an opportunity to cross the river, thereby improving service delivery to the overseas residents,” he said.
Back then, Kgosi Mbambo said, about eight vehicles crossed the river in a day, a number that was manageable.
However, Kgosi Mbambo observed that as the district developed and many people owned vehicles, the good of the ferry turned to bad as it became overwhelmed, slowing movement across the river.
Kgosi Mbambo said movement of people was delayed, as vehicles had to wait for long on either side of the river for their chance to board the ferryboat and cross to the respective destinations.
“There are incidents whereby some people have lost their lives while waiting by the riverside to board the ferry,” he said.
Kgosi Mbambo said one unforgettable incident was one in which a woman gave birth and spent a night by the river as the ferry had stopped operating for the day.
He said the ferryboat operated between 6am and 6pm and there was no movement across the river at night.
As such, Kgosi Mbabo said in the afternoon there was a rush to arrive at the river well on time and get a chance to cross before closing time.
Therefore, Kgosi Mbabo said the rush often resulted in road accidents.
He said the bridge, allowed for free movement as the people of Okavango could now conveniently attend social events on either side of Mohembo and return anytime as well as business people who transported goods and services.
Kgosi Mbambo also appreciated other developments such as the state-of-the-art J.P Kavindama Primary Hospital, Shakawe Senior Secondary School, as well as CITF School which he said was near completion in Shakawe.
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