19 Aug 2018

The Vice President has commended Lucara-Botswana and Lundin Foundation for sponsoring agri-business projects in Boteti.

Mr Slumber Tsogwane praised the two during Karowe Diamond Mine community service day at Maine farm in Mokubilo on August 17.

The projects, he said, would go a long way in reducing poverty, encouraging entrepreneurship and affording communities in Boteti the opportunity for self-sustenance.

The day was held under the theme: Rural transformation through agribusiness development.

Mr Tsogwane said the theme focused and committed efforts by Lucara-Botswana and corporate partner Lundin Foundation in empowering the Mokubilo community.

The projects, he said, would mark the commencement of improved social livelihoods and thriving economic status of areas in Boteti Sub-district.

He said Lucara-Botswana initially operated a fund, Karowe Emerging Entrepreneurs Fund targeted at channeling capital to support early stage entrepreneurs to launch and grow businesses across Boteti Sub-district.

Mr Tsogwane said the aim of the programme was to strengthen a more diversified economy across the sub-district.

The programme however had a number of challenges and was re-designed to have optimal impact in villages and a new approach was adopted to target communities and promote economic empowerment initiatives at community level as opposed to individuals.

The new approach conceived Karowe Village Initiatives (KVI) and Lucara-Botswana injected funding into KVI in 2018 to fund pilot community economic empowerment projects in three villages of Mmadikola, Khwee and Mokubilo.

The projects that will be implemented include Mokubilo Integrated Farm, Mmadikola hardware store and Khwee Integrated Farm.

Mr Tsogwane said Lucara’s visionary intentions for Boteti Sub-district made one appreciate the presence of Karowe Mine in their geographical location and knowing that their robust community empowerment strategies and innovative regional development would benefit Boteti residents.

He said the company’s efforts were in line with government’s mandate of rural development.

He implored Mokubilo community and its cooperatives to seize all opportunities extended to them by Karowe Mine and its leadership.

Karowe Mine general manager, Mr Johane Mchive said the event was a demonstration of Lucara-Botswana’s dedication and commitment to take the responsibility of developing the livelihoods of Batswana upon themselves.

Mr Mchive said they were determined to work in unison with the local community, noting that the objective was to accord communities sufficient support that would enable them to be self-reliant.

Lucara- Botswana’s aim he said was to make an impact in the social and economic lives of Batswana.

He said the objective was to see communities working independently towards a successful production.

The area Member of Parliament, Mr Sethomo Lelatisitswe applauded the initiative, saying the project would transform the lives of the people of Boteti significantly.

Mr Lelatisitswe urged residents of Mokubilo to safeguard farm properties most importantly the solar panels which would be used to operate the borehole. ENDS