11 Nov 2015

The delay by the Ministry of Environment, Wildlife and Tourism to issue a lease to Sankoyo Tshwaragano Management Trust has negatively affected the local economy.

Kgosi Gothaang Moalosi of Sankoyo revealed in an interview that the village has experienced high number of unemployment amongst the youth as many had been retrenched from the camps while the business community also are crying foul.

He said most of the photographic camps had long closed and now workers are fighting for Ipelegeng jobs with the elderly. 

Initially the signing of leases was done by trusts and Tawana land board but the government took a decision to transfer the arrangement to the Ministry of Lands and Housing.

Kgosi Moalosi explained that they had been waiting patiently for almost three years and every time they were promised that the lease would be issued soon. In addition, he observed that they had investors already but they are unwilling to continue with the developments because they wanted security of tenure from the trust.

He is optimistic that if the ministry could issue the lease, over 100 people would find jobs and improve their living standards. 

“This could make a huge difference as the mandate of the trust is to generate income and implement development in the village and also improve the livelihoods of the community,” he added.

The trust had been struggling to generate income since the new arrangement of signing leases. 

Kgosi Moalosi said currently the trust vehicles had parked and the management is unable to monitor their concessions to ensure investors comply with the environmental rules and regulations.

He said only Kajikini campsite is operating to sustain the trust. Sandawana campsite, he said is also operating but not making profits as expected because the investor claims there is no security of tenure to do more development and create jobs for the locals.

Kgosi expressed disappointment noting that the trust has failed to deliver its mandate. He said one of their roles was to construct twenty water system toilets in the village every year and also assist the needy society.

“Our hands are tied up and there is no life in the community without a lease to operate our concessions. 

Our team, Sankoyo Bush Bucks is also suffering because the trust is crippled financially,” he said.

Kgosi Moalosi noted that they had a meeting with the permanent secretary last month and hoped he would do all in his power to ensure they get the lease before end of the year. Meanwhile, Sankoyo Tshwaragano Management Trust is one of the best trusts which had been playing a big role in supporting future community developments. Ends