20 Oct 2019

Government will do all in its power to ensure inclusiveness of citizens in the tourism industry.

Addressing a kgotla meeting in Kumaga on Friday, President Dr Mokgweetsi Masisi told residents of Kumaga, Moremomaoti, Motlopi and Makalamabedi that communities, as custodians of natural resources, should be seen benefiting more from their wealth unlike the current situation where they were spectators in their land.

Although, he said government would always welcome investors, he stressed the need for them to work amicably with locals.

President Masisi also informed residents that government had revived the consultation system as part of Setswana culture and democracy.  “We are aware of your challenges and through consultation we will find permanent solutions.”

He cited the issue of human/wildlife conflict and revealed that government had taken the bold decision to re-instate hunting to reduce the impact on communities.

President Masisi urged residents to remain calm and not be misled by some reports from locals who deliberately connived with some international organisations to criticise government’s decision to re-instate hunting.

He argued that locals should benefit from wildlife as custodians and labelled those who were against the decision as racists who cared more about wildlife than human beings.

He said government would not tolerate anything that exploited its nation, but would rather strive to ensure that locals benefited more from their natural resources despite criticism.

On other issues, President Masisi urged residents to participate in the general elections scheduled for 23 October.

Residents were advised to respect the law, other party candidates and to vote wisely.

They were advised to vote people who had their interests at heart, trustworthy and willing to bring solutions to challenges encountered.

President Masisi said if they gave him another chance, he would speed up the pace as he had more to implement.

He also thanked residents for having allowed their former area MP, Mr Slumber Tsogwane to be his vice during his tenure.

He described him as a parent, an asset, a great man who delivered his mandate to expectations, noting that they worked peacefully for the benefit of the nation.

For their part, residents thanked government for addressing some of their challenges, citing the human/wildlife conflict and the extension of the Makgadikgadi Game Park electric fence on tribal territory which residents of Kumaga were against, arguing that it would impact negatively on their livelihoods as Boteti River would be enclosed in the park.

Residents thanked government for reversing the decision to install the fence as it had left some residents with no land to plough.

Village Development Committee, chairperson, Mr Oeditsemang Motsamai wanted to know when the construction of the fence would commence, and if the affected residents would be allowed to venture into tourism activities.

He explained that residents had interest in farming and called on government to speed up the process as the fence would help to stop elephants from destroying their fields.

Another resident, Mr Timothy Maoto said they wanted to benefit from tourism, stating that they had two national parks surrounding their villages while foreigners were benefiting more at the expense of locals.  He requested government to secure land within the parks for residents to operate tourism activities. ENDS