29 May 2017

Boiteko Fishing Syndicate has received fishing equipment as part of the Poverty Eradication Programme.

Handing over the fishing material, national poverty eradication coordinator, Ms Bernadette Malala said the government continued to help those in need.

She noted that there were seven fish projects in the country under the care of the poverty eradication programme.

She praised the team for being dedicated in their project despite the lack of a market.

She alsonoted that their team was currently the only one granted the right to fish in the Okavango River while others were required to exploit other means such as fish ponds.

Ms Malala said they were aware of the challenges in the area, and that they planned to help them by providing refrigerated trucks that would assist the team to market the fish as far as Gaborone and other areas.

She advised the team to come up with ideas on how they could progress in their business.

Ms Malala handed over two freezers, containers, a weight scale, buckets, mats and all that they use to store the fish.

Giving appreciation remarks, the chairperson of Okavango Fisherman Association, who are also part of the syndicate, Mr Saushiku Njwaki thanked the government for the support.

He said their syndicate began in 1994 and that it has been functioning despite challenges.

He said they were funded through the then FAP programme.

However, Mr Njwaki said the fish industry was complex and needed some form of support.

He pleaded for transport, saying all their boats were old and not functioning.

He said they use traditional canoes which were risky.

He thanked the government for giving them the license to fish in the Okavango River.

He assured them that they were responsible and would protect what they had been given.

Kgosi Koloi Sabo also said the Poverty Eradication Programme was beneficial to his community.

He said the equipment would encourage them to continue fishing and taking care of their families. ENDS