26 Feb 2019

Tamog Tours Safari company director is thankful to the Sankoyo community for leasing out part of the Kazikini campsite to him.

Locals are gradually making inroads in the tourism industry, and Mr Mogomotsi Motlapele said it was pleasing to see Batswana being given a chance.

He made the remark during the handing over of two houses constructed by his company in partnership with Sankoyo Tshwaragano Management Trust (STMT) following a 15-year lease agreement to operate part of Kazikini campsite.

The trust has subdivided the campsite and leased a portion to Mr Motlapele who intends to operate a tented campsite.

The houses were handed over to the Mosubakwa and Samasasa families.

Unfortunately, both were not present, and it was reported that Ms Koi Mosubakwa was not well while Ms Kefilwe Samasasa died last December.

Mr Motlapele commended the community’s decision to allow him to lease the facility, adding that they had shown visionary leadership since most community trusts believed in foreign companies.

He said it was a pity that most foreign companies contributed little to develop communities economically since the bulk of their profits were channeled to their countries of origin.

“I am overwhelmed because you entrusted me with operating your facility despite being a small company. I promise to stick to our agreement,” he added.

The lease requires him to contribute to the development of Sankoyo and towards the community’s livelihoods which he honoured by constructing the two houses.

Mr Motlapele also promised to sponsor 10 pupils with uniforms on an annual basis, and that he would increase the number in future.

He said with support from the community they could transform the village and contribute towards its economy.

Shelter, he said, was a fundamental human right and he assured the beneficiaries that his company would be responsible for maintenance for the first two months after occupation.

Speaking on behalf of the technical advisory committee, Ms Thatayaone Mogatle thanked the company for fulfilling its promise.

Ms Mogatle said the gesture was in line with the Community Based Natural Resource Management (CBRNM) policy which encouraged community-based sustainable development.

The policy, through Botswana Tourism Organisation, encourages and facilitates joint venture partnerships between community based organisations (CBOs) and private companies.

Ms Mogatle said shelter restored dignity and commended Tamog Tours for the donation.

A social worker, Ms Connie Sebako said the company complemented the council’s efforts to house the needy. 

She said 19 people in Sankoyo were awaiting assistance under the housing programme.

Sankoyo trust chairperson, Mr Charles Ntema said they identified the beneficiaries through the help of the social worker and Village Development Committee.

He said the donation was the beginning of their partnership with the investor who also assisted Maun-based Sankoyo Bush Bucks financially. Ends