10 Jun 2019

Botswana Meat Commission (BMC) products and processes have impressed Cuban Ambassador to Botswana.

Ms Patricia Pego-Guerra shared her sentiments with BOPA after touring the national abattoir in Lobatse recently.

She said her visit gave her a unique opportunity to appreciate the production process and witness how serious the nation was with regards to beef production.

Ms Pego-Guerra said her visit might open a window of opportunities for the two nations to extend their mature bilateral relations through trade in beef.

She said Botswana was famous across the world for her tasty beef.

“I’m very much impressed with the quality of the products and processes. The abattoir is very clean, security is tight and everyone is focused on their job,” she said.

Ms Pego-Guerra explained that part of her mandate was to reinforce the mature bilateral relations that existed between Botswana and Cuba through trade.

She said her island nation, with a population of 12 million people, could provide a good market for Botswana’s beef. Her visit, she said, was in part aimed at celebrating Africa Day, adding that her country was inextricably intertwined with the continent.

For her part, acting BMC chief executive officer, Dr Boitumelo Mogome-Maseko said the company was always scoping out the best market opportunities for their product. She said they were willing to explore opportunities with Cuba, adding the country offered a potential market for the nation. She further explained that their view was to find the best value for their products.

Dr Mogome-Maseko also revealed that they were in the process of trading in small stock and other meat products such as poultry in the not-too-distant future.

The BMC boss also revealed that the state funded company was restructuring to allow for other players to also have a stake in the market.

She said her company was willing to help them build capacity as a matter of national interest.

“For us, it’s not about us but Botswana,” she explained.

The company has a monopoly on beef products export. BMC communications manager, Mr Brian Dioka further explained that the company boasted not only beef products, but also a wealth of expertise on meat production.

He said they were available to partner with Cuba on a skills transfer basis.

Meanwhile, production manager, Mr Godlive Maika stressed that traceability was an essential aspect of their production process.

He said they had measures to trace meat products back to the farm, herd and owner.

Acting Lobatse mayor, Mr Francis Mokwena in his vote of thanks, encouraged the ambassador to facilitate trade between the two countries.

He said BMC was the biggest employer in town, adding that most of the economic activities in Lobatse revolved around the abattoir. Mr Mokwena called for more investors, especially along the lines of hospitality to set up businesses in ‘the town of firsts’ as Lobatse is lovingly called.

He also challenged Lobatse leaders to come up with ways to leverage on the town’s rich history to create opportunities for residents.

The 121-year-old town housed the first government, radio station and high court, among others,

Ms Pego-Guerra also visited Athlone hospital, late African National Congress grassroots organiser, Fish Keitseng’s place where he housed the late first democratic president of South Africa, Nelson Mandela and the late Mozambican president, Samora Machel and many other prominent liberation fighters. ENDS