20 Jun 2019

Selebi Phikwe is ready to welcome Toyota Kalahari Desert Race enthusiasts who will be gracing the long awaited race to be held in the town over the weekend.

Sam Sono Stadium, which will be the start and finishing point, is expected to be abuzz with hundreds of desert race enthusiasts who will be witnessing the qualifying race on June 21, which will determine the grid position as well as the finishing race on June 23.

Selebi Phikwe, which has taken over the baton from Jwaneng, will host this legendary event for the next three years subject to review.

The 1 000km desert race started in 1991 having been hosted in various areas, including Gaborone, Mantshwabisi, Lentsweletau, Hatsalatladi, Kumakwane and Jwaneng.

Other than the closed BCL mine, which has been the economic backbone of this once copper mining town, Selebi Phikwe has a lot to offer hence the reason why the race is being held in the SPEDU region for the first time.

“Zana,” as it is affectionately called by Selebi Phikwe residents, has a lot to offer which can turn Selebi Phikwe into an economic hub.

“We are ready to host the race and we are looking forward to continue hosting it after three years, says Selebi Phikwe Town Council (SPTC) mayor, Mr Molosiwa Molosiwa.

Mr Molosiwa expects the race to help lure both local and foreign investors to Selebi Phikwe, saying the town has good infrastructure which puts it in a better competitive edge.

The town prides itself with a stadium, golf course, airport, excellent roads and rail network, quality education, accommodation facilities as well as the over 500 beds Selebi Phikwe government hospital which are critical for investment and the success of the race.

“All our 11 government primary schools and three private schools perform above the 80 per cent set target. We also have private clinics as well as the BCL hospital and reliable access to potable water and electricity,” he said.

The race is also expected to bring a huge financial windfall for Selebi Phikwe and the entire SPEDU region which covers areas of Bobirwa and Tswapong.

He also added that the race would boost the economy of Selebi Phikwe particularly food outlets, accommodation facilities, retailers, street vendors, the transport sector as well as fuel stations.

Mr Molosiwa further said the town has been working round the clock to put the town in a better state, adding that the town has been an eye sore.

The council together with the community and other stakeholders conducted a clean-up campaign last week in an effort to put the town in a better state to welcome visitors.

The council has cleared the parking area around the stadium, maintained streetlights and maintained roads to ease traffic flow.

The new Selebi Phikwe Airport is also ready to welcome visitors who will be coming by air.

The airport was refurbished by SPEDU in conjuction with CAAB to put Selebi Phikwe in a better competitive edge.

The airport opens from 6:30 am to 6pm because of lack of light terminals.

Meanwhile, the Botswana Tourism Organisation in partnership with Botswana Railways have made a provision for a passenger train which will leave Lobatse on Friday and depart Selebi Phikwe on Sunday to decongest the Gaborone/Francistown road. ENDs