28 Sep 2020

Born 72 years ago in Shorobe in the outskirts of Maun, Mr Kenson Kgaga is proud of his contribution in the tourism industry.

Mr Kgaga, who was the founder of Botswana Guides Association (BOGA), was a first Motswana tour guide and operator. He contributed to Botswana’s growth.

He was the mastermind behind mokoro excursions for tourists in Maun and surrounding areas that was introduced in 1987 in along Boro river.

Mr Kgaga achieved a lot although his educational background was not too decorated.

It was in the year that Botswana attained independence that Mr Kgaga had a chance to start school.

His parents relocated from Shorobe to Maun  and that gave him a chance to start school although he was already older.

He only schooled for a few months since he was compelled by his background to find a job and assist his parents.

He got a domestic work and only worked for a few months since he felt the income was not enough.

This led to his journey in the tourism industry.

In 1972, he was employed by Ker and Downey Safaris owners as a gardener earning P6.

He continued working as gardener until 1973 when he negotiated with his employer that he would like to work at their safari company so he could get a better salary.

The company owner gave him a chance to work at the company earning an extra P12 while he continued with his job as gardener.

Mr Kgaga then developed interest in waitressing which had a better salary of about P100.

He then became a waiter, but passion for a higher salary propelled him to be a cook.

In 1974, Mr Kgaga went for training as a cook and upon his return he continued as a cook until 1975.

His journey with Ker and Downey was then cut short as he got employed by another safari company called Safari Unlimited where he worked until 1983 still driven by the desire to improve his family background.

Still in 1983, he left Safari Unlimited for a post with the government at Tsetse Fly Control where his stay was short-lived.

Mr Kgaga landed another job at AUDI Camp which was known as Kubu Camp at the time as a casual labour then he became a storeman. In 1983, he was promoted to be a mechanic and assistant manager.

He still felt the promotion was not enough and decided to serve a notice, however the then Audi Camp owner who was a German asked him to rethink about resignation in five days.

After five days, he was given a contract as a managing director and a shareholder which he accepted.

In 1992, he sold his Audi Camp shares then registered a safari company called Bush Safaris which he sold in 1999.

Mr Kgaga then became the voice of small Safari Companies because he felt that some policies were detrimental to small companies.

He lobbied other guides to join efforts and form an organisation which was a challenge because he failed to garner support.

A certain policy that was introduced compelled guides to go through tests for a license and failurewould result in loss of their license. He said that was an eye opener for the guides.

About 382 guides then grouped themselves and Botswana Guides Association (BOGA) was birthed in 1999 and he was appointed as the interim chairperson until BOGA was officially launched in r2000.

In 2001, mobile safari licenses were introduced.

“BOGA has since grown to represent people in the tourism industry nationwide not only in the North West District. In 2019 we toured the country and assisted some people in the Tuli Block area who did not have guides licenses,” he said.

Founding BOGA was a challenge as some viewed it as a political body but it was meant to bridge the gap between government and Hospitality and Tourism Association Botswana (HATAB).

“My motivation has always been to eliminate poverty and citizen empowerment,” he said.

Mr Kgaga also founded his company Naga Safaris in the year 2001 and later Mwako Rest Camp situated at Sankoyo village.

“Mwako was named after my grandmother who loved the wilderness and conservation,” he said.

Mr Kgaga is the current Councilor for Boro-Senonori in Maun for the second term and an Arch Bishop at his church. ENDS