Official underscores tourism importance
22 May 2018
A professional guide at Gcwhihaba National Monument, Mr Jobe Marenga has underscored the need for locals to know and appreciate natural resources in their surroundings
He said their appreciation would help to protect and preserve the resources for future generations.
He said it was disheartening that the elders who have rich information regarding some of the heritage and natural sites were dying hence the need to engage those still alive to get the necessary information.
He said the elderly should teach the youth how to preserve them for the future.
Mr Marenga made the remarks after a tour of the Gcwhihaba Caves by some employees from different departments under the Ministry for Presidential Affairs, Governance and Public Administration.
The employees visited the area on a team building exercise and community service day at Xaixai where they build a two-roomed house for one of the needy persons.
Mr Marenga said Botswana was fortunate to have the Gcwhihaba National Monument, which had a unique geographical layout with the most pristine landscapes rich in natural resources and a strong cultural heritage.
The area, he said, has a lot of rich history which needed to be shared with visitors and thanked the organisers for hosting a team building exercise in the area.
“This is the first group to visit the caves this year and we really appreciate your efforts because we want to see more locals coming to the area to experience and see the beauty of the caves and its surroundings,” he said.
Mr Marenga said most of the time they were receiving tourists from outside the country and encouraged Batswana to develop interest in travelling and appreciating the beauty of their country.
Some of the employees who were visiting the place for the first time had an opportunity to traverse the caves and could not believe that the area was in Botswana.
With its look, they said the area remained one of the most attractive areas in the country which would keep on attracting local and international tourists.
Gcwhihaba Caves, located 36 km south east of Xaixai, are rated amongst the most extraordinary in the world. Gcwhihaba is a fascinating underground labyrinthe of caverns and pits, linked passages, stalagmite and stalactite formations and beautifully coloured flowstones that appear like waterfalls of rock.
For his part, the chief organiser, Mr Joe Garebagae informed the employees that they should understand that they visited the area for a purpose to promote team building in different activities.
He said team building was an important activity which could motivate employees to be more productive in their workplaces.
He said the fun activities they engaged in helped them see each other in a different light and also allowed them to connect in a different setting.
Okavango district commissioner, Mr Thabang Waloka thanked all for coming and wished the district could at least host two team building exercises a year.
He said the team building exercise gave employees an opportunity to come together, take a break from their busy schedules and interact to know each other better and share ideas. BOPA
Source : BOPA
Author : Esther Mmolai
Location : GCHWIHABA
Event : Tour of caves
Date : 22 May 2018






