Africa-Press – Botswana. Kgosi Khama IV of Bangwato has expressed his intention to promote the sustainable use of natural resources, with emphasis on the tourism sector.
He informed residents of Mopipi during a kgotla meeting recently that the plan was to capacitate the community to diversify from conventional use of tourism product by taking advantage of the tourism value chain in the region. The objective, Kgosi Khama said, was to promote heritage sites and tourism to create employment opportunities.
He indicated that the programme would have three phases that included survey and profiling of developable projects such as campsites, culture and heritage sites and routes. Kgosi Khama said that would enhance local beneficiation from events and tourism related product development and activities around Makgadikgadi.
He said activities such as sky diving, quad bike riding could be done on Mopipi pan which used to be a dam. The traditional leader also stated that there would be resource mobilisation for key and identified community projects and events.
Project implementation he said, would be led preferably by local community structures such as community trusts and village development communities, as would be preferred by the community. The tourism route, he said, would be defined showing tourism product offerings and services across Makgadikgadi with participation of stakeholders especially local community.
Kgosi Khama said it was crucial to construct an airstrip to ease travelling by tourists into Makgadikgadi. He further said there would be traditional dance competitions in the region, expected this year, that would attract prize money. The final competition would be held in Serowe. Kgosi Khama noted that position one would receive P30,000 prize money, P20,000 and P10,000 for positions two and three respectively.
Mokopi Trust chairperson, Mr Unobo Othusitse said they would like to promote local heritage sites and set up a campsite at Ntsokotsa. He said they would also like to extend Mokopi Predator Park.
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