11 Apr 2017

Located in isolation, some 50 kilometres west of Khuis in Kgalagadi South, the village of Khawa is steadily transforming, as modern structures are mushrooming all over the settlement.

The village, however, is not only turning into a modern settlement, but has also proved to have great potential towards economic diversification.

Of recent, Khawa is well known locally and across borders because of its unique physical features that had ultimately turned the village into a tourism hub.

Khawa is home to some of the country’s highest sand dunes and it is also a gateway to the Mabuasehube Game Reserve, one of the locations in Botswana rich with flora and fauna and therefore attractive to tourists.

Despite its natural beauty, which offers a lot in terms of tourism related opportunities, the environment does not provide residents with enough building materials to develop their homes.

Traditionally, Batswana stay in mud huts with wooden trusses and grass roofing.

Located in a desert where the vegetation is dominated by thorny shrubs with only a few growing up to a height of a human being, the residents have a hard time in their effort to build durable structures to withstand harsh weather conditions.

The village leader, Kgosi Piet Manyoro has revealed to BOPA on Monday that Khawa is steadily transforming into a better and modern settlement in terms of development.

He said through the Remote Areas Development Programme (RADP), residents of Khawa are being empowered to stand the rigors of modern lifestyle.

Kgosi Manyoro said before proper houses were built through government programmes, most people lived in mud houses, which in most cases would collapse during rainy or windy seasons, meaning that occupants sometimes spent sleepless nights for fear of the structures falling on them.

He added that the affected residents did not only lose their dwelling structures, but also lost their belongings and food items, which were also provided by government.

Kgosi Manyoro has applauded government for providing shelter for the needy and destitute persons as such a move had greatly uplifted the face of the village.

He said the proper shelter gave the beneficiaries pride, dignity and a sense of belonging.

He has also appreciated that the Presidential Housing Appeal, an initiative by President Lt Gen. Dr Seretse Khama Ian Kham has also greatly benefited his village as most of the residents in dire need of accommodation were provided with permanent structures.

Kgosi Manyoro also said through LIMID, some residents had received livestock to help improve their lives.

Mr Manyoro also acknowledged that the Poverty Eradication Programme packages and Ipelegeng had also proved to be handy in improving the livelihoods of his community.

He has however cautioned beneficiaries of government programmes to take care of their projects as they were meant to sustain them for a life time and by so doing ease government burden of providing for the needy and ultimately contribute towards fighting poverty.

For his part, the social welfare officer, Mr Piet Bock noted that to date 43 houses have been constructed in Khawa and handed over to the beneficiaries while five are still under construction.

Mr Bock said the beneficiaries are identified through a thorough screening process.

He said some of the beneficiaries are the elderly who did not have a source of income.

Mr Bock said the projects are awarded to local contractors and also cater for the residents in terms of temporary employment.

As for affirmative action, Mr Bock said some youthful residents had been given opportunities to further their studies at tertiary and vocational institutions.

One of the housing beneficiaries, Mr William Rooi said he did not have a place to stay since his house was gutted by fire.

He appreciated council assistance as he now has a shelter to house orphans.

He said having proper shelter gave his family dignity. ENDS