08 Nov 2017

United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) has promised to construct a cultural guest house for the Pandamatenga community in an effort to address the issue of unemployment in the village.

This followed the training of over 10 young people in tourism at Career Dreams in Maun courtesy of UNDP.

In an interview, Pandamatenga Village Development Committee chairperson, Mr Ontiretse Juramo confirmed that UNDP, in collaboration with Bio Chobe Project, had promised to construct a cultural guest house for the community.

He explained that the pledge was made during the graduation ceremony of beneficiaries who had been trained in tourism, adding that it was realised that most graduates were idling while a few were hired to do shoddy jobs.

He said they had already identified a plot, adding that P50 000 had been reserved for logistics such as plans and minor works.

Mr Juramo was optimistic that the cultural facility would thrive since the village had a lot of history which could attract more tourists.

The Pandamatenga area is suitable for arable agriculture and Mr Juramo pointed out that the project would diversify the local economy.

He said they were waiting for the council to appreciate the site and draft the plans as expected to map the way forward for construction.

He said marketing the cultural village would not be a problem since it would be built along the Zimbabwean border.

He said they were also targeting people who attended the annual agriculture expo in Pandamatenga farms.

He thanked UNDP for their continued support in uplifting the livelihoods of the community, noting that the project would complement VDC coffers and create employment for locals.

Mr Juramo said VDC had been challenged to generate funds as it depended solely on house rentals from its nine one-roomed houses and five LA2 houses.

The chairperson observed that the new committee which was dominated by young, vibrant people had made an arrangement with the occupants to deposit the money directly in the bank account.

He also highlighted that UNDP recently assisted the community with fire fighters through the Bio-Chobe project.

Some members of the community were also trained on how to use the equipment.

The Bio-Chobe project is aimed at environmental conservation and social upliftment of the community of Chobe.

The project also seeks to put in place measures to ensure that land use in sensitive areas adjacent to the Chobe National Park and forest reserves were compatible with biodiversity conservation aims. ENDS