07 Sep 2018

Botswana Tourism Organisation (BTO) officials have consulted villagers in the vicinity surrounding Shashe Dam on plans to fence the dam.

Addressing a kgotla meeting in Tati Siding recently, BTO estates officer Ms Mildred Mackennie told residents that the Shashe Dam tourism master plan recommended that the dam boundary should be fenced.

“The completed master plan envisions having tourism related development activities within the dam, which are fully planned and in compliance with relevant planning laws, regulations and the environmental assessment plan of 2011.”

Ms Mackennie explained that they were aware of different proposals that started in 2016.

She however said the master plan had been approved by the relevant districts of central and north east since the dam was located between the two.

She said one of the proposals was to fence the dam, and that it was initially fenced but that the fence was stolen. She added that there was still need to erect the fence in order to secure upcoming tourism developments.

The officer said BTO found it necessary to involve communities residing around the dam and engage them on how to fence the dam in a way that would secure the proposed developments.

She said they had taken into consideration that communities residing around the dam had been using the dam as a watering source for their livestock.

Ms Mackennie said they saw the need to sensitise residents about the concept in order to make them aware of developments brought by the master plan such as fencing the dam.

In addition, she told residents that their input would be valuable as they had to agree on how to fence the dam boundary.

Furthermore, she said it was important to ensure that proper consultations were made in order to involve all concerned parties.

Ms Mackennie said the biggest issue to date has been allowing livestock access to the dam.

However, she noted that the master plan recommended partial fencing in order to leave an opening which would allow livestock to gain access to the dam.

She noted that the proposed opening was on the side where the Mmaeroro and Shashe rivers connected into the dam, and that the recommended opening would be the only access point where farmers could gain access into the dam and water their livestock.

She added that the tourism master plan would bring different developments such as lodges, conference facilities and other tourism related activities, and that upon operation, there would be different work opportunities either directly or indirectly.

The recommendation of the master plan stipulates that priority should be given to locals in terms of employment opportunities and that it should be extended to nearby communities first before other people.

She said the other recommendation was that whoever was going to operate any activity within the dam should procure their stocks and supplies from local communities, adding that it would give another opportunity for locals, more especially farmers.

One resident, Ms Lorato Kamalanga appreciated the dam prospects and appealed to the youth to embrace developments.

Ms Kamalanga further urged the youth to take up their place and benefit in terms of creating jobs. ENDS