31 Aug 2015

First National Bank Botswana has officially launched the First Park, formerly known as Tawana Park in Tsogang ward at Gaborone North.

The park, which has been developed to be used by the general public for recreational purposes, came through the partnership between FNB Foundation and Gaborone City Council. 

Giving welcome remarks at the launch on Friday, Gaborone City clerk, Mr Mpho Mathe said the park would provide, among others, entertainment for the youth.

He added that the nature of the activities also does allow for adults to use it in the process allowing for passive surveillance-enhancing safety.

He said the park was also helping in terms of revitalising the living space for the Tawana community and has positive spin-offs in terms of property values, which he assumed FNB had a hand in through mortgaging.

Mr Mathe said the government’s core purpose was not to run business, but to facilitate the people, create an enabling environment for all city dwellers to thrive and be happy. 

“By now it is a common knowledge that we as a country have for many years been lobbying for a cut in the downstream ripple effects of diamonds and have managed to convince the diamond market to relocate DTC to Gaborone,” said Mr Mathe.

He thus highlighted that this comes with a responsibility of ensuring that Gaborone was developed into a liveable space that was comparable to diamond cities of the first world.

“While there are many components that constitute a liveable city, a varied banquet of recreational facilities does not form one of the low hanging fruits that we feel ought to be harnessed to enhance the image of our city,” he said.

He further said there were many challenges such as inadequacy of water to keep the First Park perpetually green and pledged their commitment as the city council to strive to ensure that the park remains what it was conceived for.    

For her part, FNB foundation Trustee, Ms Regina Vaka appreciated the partnership they have with Gaborone City Council in the development of the First Park, saying the vision of the nation has been made possible.

“We at FNNB Foundation want to leave a lasting legacy for our children. By being here today, we are confident that many years from now this day will be remembered not as the day that a bank officially launched a refurbished park, but through fond memories of childhood created at First Park,” she said.

She also urged the community to value and cherish the park as it would keep the youth from undesirable activities.  Ms Vaka added that the park would be a source of joy to the community of Tawana as well as to their friends and visitors, and that Botswana could be proud of the achievement that the park is. ENDS