Africa-Press – Botswana. The Dinokeng Fish Festival is a shining example of how local ingenuity, cultural heritage and environmental stewardship could be woven into a strategy for sustainable livelihoods and inclusive economic empowerment.
This observation was made by Minister of Local Government and Traditional Affairs, Mr Ketlhalefile Motshegwa at the official opening of the annual Dinokeng Fish Festival in Oliphants Drift on Saturday. He said the event was a bold statement about the power of community, innovation and sustainable development.
“It is an initiative that stands out as a beacon of hope and opportunity. It reflects our shared commitment to diversifying the rural economy, creating employment and reducing poverty through sustainable aquaculture. This is not just about fishing it is about food security, income generation and community resilience,” he said.
Held under the theme: Growing our economy together through fishing opportunities, Mr Motshegwa said it was a crucial demonstration that no economy was driven from the top but led by people at grassroots level using available resources within their communities.
He said the theme was premised on the fact that fishing could significantly contribute to economic growth especially for communities reliant on it for their livelihood and food security.
“Developing a sustainable aquaculture sector presents more opportunities in the long run for development across the economic, social and environmental fronts of our communities. It is a strategic initiative and platform where fresh ideas meet tradition, where local voices mix with global influences in transforming the local economic development landscape of the district,” he added.
Mr Motshegwa said the fish festival was a platform where food security, job creation and value chain development with regard to opportunities brought by the availability of fish were cultivated and nourished.
He noted the effects of climate change on aquaculture and said government was committed to finding alternative interventions to mitigate the challenges under the pillar for economic revitalisation and that of social development.
“We are committed as government to strengthen our partnerships and collaboration with development partners and private sector to work tirelessly to ensure our communities realise their full potential,” he said.
In an interview, chairman of the Almakaar Fishing Group Mr Dira Gouwe said fishing had the potential to contribute to the success and sustainability of economic growth in the river villages. He said despite the promising signs of success in their trade they were inundated with a number of challenges as fishermen.
Mr Gouwe said they had successfully managed to get into a joint venture through the establishment of their cooperative society named Almakaar Fishing group. He said lack of market access for their produce was also frustrating their efforts of eking a livelihood as fishermen. Mr Gouwe appealed to government to assist with infrastructure development such as the establishment of fish ponds and other fishing implements.
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