29 Jun 2016

Minister of Environment, Wildlife and Tourism (MEWT) says he is in discussions with Botswana Tourism Organisation (BTO) and those of the Toyota 1000km Desert Race to rotate the event to different areas of Botswana to benefit communities in those areas.

Speaking at a press brief, Tshekedi Khama said he is also looking to convince the organisers to hold an amateur race two days before the main desert race.

“The Toyota 1000km Desert Race has become extremely expensive and this in turn has side-lined locals who want to take part in the race,” he said, adding that he has it on good authority that vehicles being used to race cost a little over P2 million excluding other logistics of preparing for the race.

Khama said the amateur race would be such that the racers have to meet the minimum set standards.

“And I must say that the organisers of the race have warmed up to the idea,” he said.

He said with regards to the race being moved around the country, the multitudes that turn out every year would do good to the rest of the areas the race would be hosted at.

“I have been made to understand that this year the turnout was 50 000 people and imagine the business these people brought to Jwaneng and surrounding villages,” said Khama, adding that BTO’s main objective is to bring opportunities to Batswana across the country.

“These events are meant to uplift communities,” he said.

Speaking on Khawa Dune Challenge, the minister said the event has generated interest from the region as they want to take part.

“People must note that the event was initially started for Batswana to compete among themselves, but now decisions have to be made regarding its growth,” said Khama.

“Other decisions such as all night parties, sound systems and the effect of traffic on the environment also have to be made,” he said.

He indicated that when Khawa Dune Challenge started, it pulled a crowd of 2000 people and this year it was around 17 000.

Khama said other activities need to be explored to diversify what is already being done.

On challenges that his ministry face with conservation, Mr Khama said it is worrying that the Ministry does not get a significant share of the budget looking at what it contributes and its work on the ground.

“For example, we have identified 100 monument sites across the country which need upkeep and restoring, but we have only been given P90 000 for this,” he said.

Khama further noted that these heritage sites have the potential to transform the lives of communities living around them as they would come up with activities for tourists that would be visiting those sites.

He also spoke on the donations they get from other countries, saying‘what people do not realise is that we do not get as much donations as we would want because other countries see the good work we do and think that we are okay with funding, which is skewed,’ he said.

“We do not have much, but we do the best we can with the little that we have and we have to package our messages in a way that donors see this,” he said. Ends