Africa-Press – Botswana. Following a full day of hectic official talks, President Dr Mokgweetsi Masisi, as is Setswana custom, found the need to help his visitor, President Hakainde Hichilema of Zambia to unwind.
In Kasane, the more appropriate way was either a game drive into the Chobe National Park, or a boat cruise along the Chobe River, and so the two heads of state decided on an early cruise.
After the cruise, BOPA took the opportunity to enquire how the experience went, but even in leisure, sometimes it is hard for a head of state to avoid talking serious business.
President Masisi took the opportunity to praise Chobe Game Lodge for heeding government’s call to encourage companies to embrace eco-friendly operations and conserve the environment.
“Botswana is an advocate on issues of environmental conservation as envisioned by its intention to develop electric mobility. Chobe Lodge found it fit to change the way they power their vehicles and boats for transporting tourists,” he said.
He said that government also supported Ali Boats to develop their electric boats, the first ever in the country, which he said would be launched soon.
He said that efforts to develop the first electric mobility and its part were currently underway.
“This will be complemented by the fact that in neighbouring Zambia they have minerals such as lithium and manganese used in manufacturing batteries. This will help our quest as we will source material closer to home,” he said.
He stated that Chobe lodge was living the Mindset Change campaign, and also commended their women empowerment drive into professions dominated by men, such as tour guiding.
President Hichilema reiterated the need for the two countries to work together and have common standards on assets, especially in the tourism sector abundant along the Chobe River.
“We can do better than what we are currently doing, business wise. We need to talk to each other to make the right investments.
A bit of business exchange by companies from both countries can be considered,” he said.
On embracing ecotourism, Chobe Game Lodge managing director, Mr Lempheditse Odumetse said that they embraced the concept as far back as 10 years, and that the move was informed by the desire to reduce environmental pollution.
“For us, it’s not much about profits, but protecting the environment for future generations. As we grow we intend to broaden the scope and help promote the use of solar power among citizens because it could be handy anywhere, either in businesses or at cattle posts,” he said.
He said that contrary to belief, solar power was not expensive, save for initial investment when setting up.
However, he stated that return on investments was realisable within two to three years, and one would enjoy free power.
Mr Odumetse therefore encouraged other businesses to embrace the use of solar power, especially that Botswana was blessed with long hours of sunshine.
He said that other eco-friendly projects that they had embraced included recycling of water and re-use of food leftovers to make compost manure.
Mr Odumetse said that embracing eco-friendly projects was not only about saving the environment, but costs as well.
He pointed out that their women’s empowerment drive covered areas such as tour guides, pilots and aircraft engineers.
“Of a portfolio of about 800 employees, more than half are women. We decided on that because we have confidence and trust in the ability of women, that what a man can do, they too can,” he said.
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