22 Sep 2015

The Minister of Environment, Wildlife and Tourism, Mr Tshekedi Khama has described the Race for Rhinos campaign as a non-traditional tourism activity that can diversify tourism. 

In an interview at Lekhubu Island during the three-day campain, Mr Khama said it was crucial to explore ways of capitalising on events in the region that could bring international participants. In the past years, the event was held in various places in South Africa and it came to Botswana this year. 

Mr Khama noted that Lekhubu Island was normally toured through self-drives, and that the objective was to promote and market the island to tourists and locals. 

He noted that local communities have benefitted from the event, and that he has already held discussions with the community to assist them with soliciting sponsorship to relocate the Gaing-O Community Trust campsite to the desired location.  

The minister said the ministry, in partnership with stakeholders, were prepared to host the event again in 2016. 

He noted that the campaign raised P245 000 through an auction sale, and that the proceeds would go to the Tlhomela Trust for endangered species.

 The acting chief executive officer of Botswana Tourism Organisation, Ms Sally-Anne Follet-Smith said they were thrilled to have brought the event to Botswana. 

She said it would help diversify tourism into sport tourism

Ms Follett–Smith noted that the race, which was the first of its kind in Botswana, was initially called race for champions. 

The Race for Rhinos slogan, she said, was developed after realising that rhinos were facing extinction due to poachers. She said the short notice leading to the event did not enable them to promote the event to attract large numbers of spectators.

Ms Follett-Smith said the event created temporary job opportunities for locals as well as business opportunities, noting that they had close to  200 working teams and 300 supporting staff. 

Meanwhile, the director of Race for Rhinos, Mr Chris Briers said the last race was held in Ulundi, South Africa, and that it was sponsored by the KwaZulu Natal municipality. The municipality, he said, discontinued supporting the programme after the government, through Botswana Tourism Organisation, showed interest staging the event. 

The logistics for setting up for the event, he said, were challenging as they had to source out 12 000 litres of water, 40 000 litres of fuel, showers, catering and liquor outlets, adding that  it took a lot of coordination and effort. 

Mr Briers said it was a privilege to have been accorded the opportunity to host the event in Botswana, adding that they were looking forward to hosting the event again in 2016. 

Lekhubu Island is 45 kilometres from Mmatshumo in the Makgadikgadi Salt Pans and is adorned with baobab trees and unique stone walls. Ends