Africa-Press – Botswana. The monument that has had tongues wagging on social media recently is finally officially open.
The Maun gateway monument, which is strategically placed at the ‘Welcome to Maun’ signage on the A3 Road along the Chanoga-Maun entry point, is now open for travellers to briefly layby for pictures.
The monument was designed and erected at the cost of P108, 207, by four Maun home-grown companies.
Speaking at the official opening on Tuesday, North West District Deputy Council Secretary – technical, Mr Masaoka Katorah stated that the project, which was conceived in 2020, was facilitated through savings from departmental votes as no budget was specifically allocated for it.
He said those responsible were: Mr Ketsogile Bampusi, who did the first wall structure at a cost of P7 800, followed by Progressive Homes, who completed the wall structure at a cost of P44 415, then Mr Odigile Setshwantsho did mural paintings at a cost of P12 000, while Delta Pyramid installed cut out lettering at the tune of P43 919.
Mr Katorah said the grey background paint complemented the elephants and buffaloes drawings on the mural, adding that the paint on the lettering illuminated at night.
North West District Council chairperson, Mr Kebareeditse Ntsogotho said the gateway monument was a befitting first impression of the Ngamiland District, as Maun is the heartbeat of the district.
He urged people not to destroy the beauty of the monument, ‘but just take pictures and appreciate its beauty’, adding that the monument was where people would make memories.
Mr Ntsogotho said the monument was a work in progress, promising that it would be modified with time.
In his remarks, the artist, Mr Setshwantsho stated that the mural captured the history and essence of Maun, having painted the iconic golden sunsets of Africa, the baskets of Ngamiland and tswii that was synonymous with the district.
He said he used acrylic and spray paint with a mix of glow- in-the-dark paint for the art to be incandescent in the dark.
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