29 Jan 2015

The Lake Ngami Fishing Multi-purpose Cooperative Society has been advised to engage with the Lake Ngami Trust since they both advocated for the improvement of the community lives through better fish sales.

The chief cooperative auditor from Ministry of Trade and Industry, Mr Molemi Tsheboeng appealed to members at a meeting in Sehithwa recently in an effort to resolve differences.

Mr Tsheboeng noted that the current setup of the sale of fish was open to exploitation of the fishermen, with the fish sold for as little as P2. He, therefore, said there was need for interventions that could be brought by the collaboration of the two stakeholders.

Mr Tsheboeng pointed that a cooperative society was mainly the preferred model of business partnership. He however, said that should not bring conflict between the two.

He said the fishermen’s exploitation hampered government’s planning which advocated for fish to be sold at an appropriate price which could benefit people.
“A cooperative’s role is to secure a market which can make profit,” he added.

Mr Tsheboeng also advised the Lake Ngami Multi-purpose Fishing Cooperative Society members to show commitment and seriousness for stakeholders like LEA and CEDA to see the viability of their businesses as well as to win their support.

The chairperson of the society, Mr Bareetsi Bogaisang said they had completed the feasibility study and were engaged with other stake holders to map a work plan.

He said they hoped the Fishing Multi-purpose Cooperative Society will be operational by the next fishing season beginning March.

The membership of the Multi-purpose Cooperative Society, he said, was open to everyone at a fee of P1000.

The Lake Ngami Community Trust is also expected to begin operating in the next fishing season beginning in March to manage fishing at Lake Ngami through community involvement. ENDS