09 Oct 2016

Some residents of Morutsha settlement in NG32 at the Okavango Delta are enjoying fruits of the listing of the delta as a heritage site.

Residents ventured into canoe business to transport tourists to camps and islands in the delta.

They liaised with lodges, hotels and private companies where tourists arrived and transported them to Morutsha to traverse the delta using the traditional canoe.

In an interview, some residents said they appreciated efforts made by government to ensure a successful listing of the delta.

They said since the listing, their mokoro business had grown.

“Since the listing of the delta, we have experienced a huge influx of tourists visiting the site and that contributed meaningful to our small businesses as we make better profits on daily basis,’ said Mr Onalethata Radipitse.

He said many locals realised the importance of tourism, noting that many young people and the elders have ventured into the tourism industry to make ends meet.
He said those who do not have the skills to paddle the canoe are making a living through the Ipelegeng programme which is the only government programme and source of income for the communities residing in the delta.

Mr Radipitse who is also the Village Development Committee chairperson said since the mekoro industry was thriving in the area; they assisted 40 locals to acquire canoe licences from the department of Wildlife and National Parks as per their requirement.

He also revealed that the guides and polars organised themselves to transport tourists in rotational basis so that many could benefit from the business.

Through the assistance of the local trust, a polar organiser had been hired to make arrangements and register all who are in the business and every day, she sat by the canoe park station to announce those who had to travel.

Mr Radipitse who have been in the business for 17 years, said every day a group of 8-12 comprising of polars and guides are ready to transport tourists.

Travelling starts at 7:30am to 16:30pm and he revealed that at times the polars could not accommodate the tourists because of the high numbers and they would be forced to make two trips.

He said a canoe business needed someone who is passionate, flexible, brave, well informed about what is happening around, outspoken, noting that tourists are friendly and eager to know much about the country’s rich culture, tradition, tourism and even the environment.

Another resident, Mr Lister Morotsi said indeed the listing of the delta has attracted a lot of attention from many countries, noting that the lives of the locals who have ventured into canoe business have been improved.

He said even those not in the business have benefiting indirectly because some have opened tuck shops while some are hawkers at the park station.

He explained that initially in the early 70s, residents used the traditional as a mode of transport to check relatives the other side of the river, but nowadays they have turned it into a business because they realised the importance of tourism.

Mr Morotsi said although the business could be challenging if one is illiterate because most of the tourists communicate in English. ENDS