26 Jun 2019

The North West District concept paper on the development and promotion of Maun as a tourism green city has been submitted to the office of the Permanent Secretary to the President (PSP).

This was in response to a question posed by the chairperson of Okavango Sub District Council, Mr Mbahahauka Kambimba during the just ended full council session.

He had wanted an update on the tourism green city proposal that was approved by the council during its last session.

In the last session, councillors learnt that according to the Okavango Delta management plan and Makgadikgadi framework management plan, Maun was one of the best places for a tourism and service centre as the area had many green features such as the Thamalakane River, which meanders through the town, and a diverse mix of modern and traditional buildings.

They adopted the concept after a presentation by the district commissioner, Mr Keolopile Leipego and called for further action with relevant authorities. A green city is one that minimises developments on new sites and promotes sustainable development.

However, a response from the office of the district commissioner revealed that district planners were still working on costing of the proposal following the submission of the concept to Office of the President.

The response also indicated that some elements of the green city proposal were being implemented, specifically the horticultural development project that was jointly financed by the Ministry of Agricultural Development and Food Security and OKACOM.

Mr Kambimba was informed that stakeholder departments and institutions were encouraged to implement elements of the paper that did not require government funding.

It was reported in the last session that consultations with stakeholders on the district’s aspiration to transform Maun into a green city were progressing well, and that all the engaged stakeholders such as the business community, tourism operators and the community had welcomed the idea as they found it beneficial to the district.

Since Maun is the gateway to the Okavango Delta World Heritage Site, he said they believed that the concept to transform the village into a green city was ideal and that it would contribute meaningfully to the country’s economy.

Another councillor, Mr Ntlogelang Kebonyekgotla wanted to know when the Department of Wildlife and National Parks would consider providing water to wildlife since the situation was dire and exacerbating human and wildlife conflict.

He cited the situation at Lake Ngami where water levels had dropped drastically and dangerous animals such as crocodiles and hippos were posing a danger to communities.

In response, he was informed that the department was working round the clock to monitor the situation of the animals in the lake and other water bodies. The department indicated that assessments had been done and that they showed that the water would last for close two to three months in the lake.

Cllr Lesedi Boy wanted to know progress of the Economic Stimulus Programme III primary school backlog, but the response was that the contending companies had since launched an application for review with the high court, and that the council had already instructed the assigned attorney to respond to the application.

He was also informed that since the council was the respondent, it had no influence on expediting the matter. ENDS