07 Jan 2019

Residents of Selebi Phikwe have welcomed SPEDU’s decision to host the Toyota 1000km Desert Race popularly known as ‘Mantshwabisi’ in Selebi Phikwe for the next five years starting this year.

Some of the residents welcomed the development saying the move would restore the hope of Selibe Phikwe residents. 

In an interview, Aaron Modisawagae said hosting the event in Selebi Phikwe was a positive move by SPEDU as part of its efforts to revive the economy of the town and the region at large.

He said the event would restore Selibe Phikwe residents’ hope.

Tshegofatso Tumelo, who owns a food stall, said the event would boost businesses in the area.

Already, Tumelo said she had started preparing for the event adding that she would give spectators quality service.

She advised members of the business community both small, medium and large, who wished to use the event to boost their businesses to start preparing on time to avoid last minute preparations.

Like Tumelo, Boitumelo Setlhare said the business community must prepare well on time to ensure that they benefit from the event.

Another resident, Amos John said hosting Toyota 1000km Desert race in Selebi Phikwe would end speculations that the town was abandoned following the closure of the BCL Mine.

He called on the residents to thank SPEDU and other stakeholders for ensuring that the event would be held in Selibe Phikwe.

Meanwhile, during the Memorandum of Agreement signing ceremony recently, SPEDU chief executive officer, Dr Mokubung Mokubung said they won the bid to host the race against highly credible competitors.

Dr Mokubung said SPEDU’s strategic intent was to diversify the economy in tourism adding that they wanted to make SPEDU region a premier sport tourism destination.

He thanked Botswana Tourism Organisation for the vote of confidence in the SPEDU region as they ran a fair and rigorous competitive process to select the winner.

Event director of South African Cross Country, Gregg Higgins said the race means opportunity, knowledge and execution and it was a signature event in Botswana to better develop and grow motorsport in the country and execute it successfully.

He said there were always challenges at the Toyota 1000km desert races such as unsafe acts by both spectators and road users.

However, he said they would take all precautionary measures to ensure and enforce the safety of all.

Higgins said there were also advantages such as exposure of the sport tourism in Botswana, which has had a great impact in the growth of and development of motorsport as the number of riders and drivers in the country has grown over the years.

The Toyota 1000km Desert race will be held from June 21-23. Ends