26 Nov 2015

Communities in the Tsodilo Hills vicinity have witnessed developments since its recognition as a World Heritage Site 14 years ago, Tsodilo Management Authority chairman, Mr Charles Motshubi said in an interview recently.

Tsodilo Hills was the first property from Botswana to be recognised and listed as a World Heritage Site in 2001 for its unique paintings.

Mr Motshubi said the community was initially granted P10 million from Diamond Trust to ensure developments that saw two boreholes drilled and construction of campsites.

The campsites, he said, benefitted the community through entry and camping fees.

He pointed out that the World Heritage Convention called for the community to have a role in the development of a World Heritage Site like that of Tsodilo Hills.

According to the National Museum director, Mr Gaogakwe Phorano, Tsodilo community generated about P43 000 fees monthly through entrance and camping fees from the camp sites.

Mr Phorano said Tsodilo Trust gave back to the community about P18 000 last financial year, which assisted various groups in the community.
However, the Tsodilo Management Authority chairman said they had shifted from infrastructural development to soft skills development.

Mr Motshubi said there was lack of skills in the Tsodilo community therefore it was integral to train the people especially the youth.

He said initially community members were recommended for out of school education through BOCODOL which proved to be a challenge to the rural community which lacked resources needed for distance learning.

Mr Motshubi however noted that about 17 young people were currently training for tourism related courses at Career Dreams Centre in Maun through the Centre for Development Enterprise (CDE) sponsorship worth P200 000.

The Ministry of Youth, Sports and Culture (MYSC), he said has also awarded the Tsodilo Trust P920 000 to train youth of Tsodilo village and neighboring places such as Gani, Chukumuchu and Nxamasere.
Mr Motshubi said the MYSC sponsorship was anticipated to be launched by the Minister of MYSC the second week of December.

Still in line with empowering young people of Tsodilo with skills, he said Tsodilo community has been granted P4.9 million by the Diamond Trust for capacity building for the coming three years.

Mr Motshubi pointed out that training was necessary to create a pool of skilled people to benefit from anticipated tourism developments which include hospitality facilities of world standard.

Two esteemed lodges, he said were in the pipe line, therefore necessary for the community to possess required skills to stand a chance to be hired.

In terms of conservation of the Tsodilo Hills to maintain its World Heritage Site stature, Mr Motshubi said there has been a consensus to relocate cattle to the nearby settlements since the cattle population increased. Ends