21 Feb 2021

Environment, natural resources conservation and tourism minister, Ms Phildah Kereng, says the projected revenue opportunities from the ongoing development at the Tropic of Capricorn is estimated to be P2 million annually.

Answering a question in Parliament from Shoshong MP, Ms Kereng said the projected figures of annual returns were based on the use of the facilities and businesses as they grew over a period of time.

“With the eventual implementation of the long term master plan, the revenues would improve based on the number of activities that are implemented on the plan,” she said.

Ms Kereng said government had identified opportunities to benefit communities around the Tropic of Capricorn site.

The planned developments, he said, would transform the site into a place that would attract international tourists.

She said the three major projects planned to be undertaken at the Tropic of Capricorn site along the A1 road included paid toilets, vendor stalls and landscaping of the area.

“Once these projects have been completed, they will be handed over to be operated by the communities living around Pallaroad and Mookane villages.

This will also accord communities to run their own businesses,” she said.

On opportunities the government had identified on the site, Ms Kereng said the location would offer tourists educational information.

“The government will promote artists, crafters and members of the community to sell their products on site.

There will also be opportunities on anchor business like harvesting of natural resources, including phane and wild fruits.

The other inadvertent benefit is that it will provide a stopover on the A1 road to allow motorists to rest,” said Ms Kereng.

She also said government was planning to develop a long term master plan that would incorporate a monument centre and related amenities such as service stations, lodges, campsites, amusement parks to serve motorists and other tourists who would spend a longer time at the Tropic of Capricorn.

“My ministry is also planning to mark the Capricorn using solar lighting so as to be identified even when crossing over by air.

This will not only attract tourism, it will also be an opportunity for local business to get involved in the area,” she said.

MP Aubrey Lesaso had asked the Minister of Environment, Natural Resources Conservation and Tourism to state opportunities that government had identified at the Tropic of Capricorn site to benefit the communities around the site, planned developments with the potential to attract international tourists, and the projected revenues from such opportunities in the next five years.ENDS