03 Jul 2017

The Race for Rhinos has grown over the years and now has over a 100 aircrafts taking part in the event.

Addressing a media briefing at the start of the race, Botswana Tourism Organisation (BTO) chief executive officer, Jillian Blackbeard noted that at the inaugural race two years ago they had 57 aircrafts taking part, and that they increased to 64  the following year to raise awareness and conservation of Rhinos.

She also noted that the past races were held at Lekhubu Islands, but that this year the islands were flooded hence they moved to Sowa.

Blackbeard said they raised P450 000 in the first race towards the conservation of Rhinos, and that last year they had a donation of 100 Rhinos from South Africa which they were planning to take to the Okavango Delta area next year.  

Furthermore, she pointed out that only 72 aircrafts took part in the race, and that they had teams However, she noted that the majority came from South Africa, Swaziland and Zimbabwe.

She added that next year they were planning to have a bigger event, noting that to attract more participants they were going to start running adverts from the coming week and at the Gaborone Air Show.

In addition, she explained that through the event they were funding awareness and conservation of rhinos in partnership with the community, leadership and on intensifying anti-poaching initiatives. This, she said, was an admission that they could not battle poaching without involving the community hence the message was spread through communities and different activities.

Blackbeard said they have decided to relocate some of the rhinos at the Khama Rhino Sanctuary as their numbers have significantly increased. She said  they would be moved to safe places around the country such as Sowa.

The managing director of Botash, Montwedi Mphathi said hosting the race was not only about bringing tourism to the town, but business as well to the mine as it continued to market their products. Mphathi said they had arranged to host some potential clients at the mine so that they could have a glimpse of what the mine was all about.

“We are capitalising on the event to open other potential markets to expand our clientele,” he said.

The mayor of Sowa, George Maphane said having the race in their town was a dream come true since they had been striving to have something which sells them to the world.

He said they would keep their fingers crossed that they retain hosting the event once again next year. ENDS