15 Mar 2021

Management of a Boteti organisation, Mokopi Trust, has been advised to be accountable and uphold values that enable progress. 

  The advice came from Vice President Mr Slumber Tsogwane in Mokobaxane Saturday during the handing over of two lions at the trust’s tourism site owned jointly by Mokobaxane and Mopipi villages. 

The site is expected to provide lion and snake viewing tourism services as well as accommodation.

Mr Tsogwane cautioned management against using trust property for personal use.

In addition, he encouraged them to uphold discipline and the spirit of volunteerism at all times.

The management heard that in the event the tourism project failed, it would be transferred to another trust so that the people of Boteti could benefit.

Stating that Boteti had a lot of untapped tourism potential, Mr Tsogwane expressed concern that trusts were not getting adequate help.

Department of Wildlife and National Parks, he said, should work closely with trusts to equip them with knowledge and necessary skills.

The vice president said the site was developed  with the view to form a tourism route linking a number of sites in an effort to promote local tourism.

The site, he explained, was located alongside Orapa Game Park, Lekhubu Island and Lenao la ga Kwalabe in Kedia among others.

Giving the project overview, Mr Botshelo Kamodi, who was responsible for setting up the trust, said the site would be used in various ways including as a natural resources knowledge and research centre.

Mr Kamodi said the intention was to produce an anti-vernom that could be used to treat haemophilia.

He said the site, which   employed some Mokobaxane youth,  was at 85 per cent completion stage.

Meanwhile, Orapa Letlhakane and Damtshaa Mines general manager, Mr Bakani Motlhabani stated that Debswana had funded the project to the tune of P1.3 million out of P1 million was for construction and the balance for marketing and branding. 

Explaining that Debswana promoted a circular economy, Mr Motlhabani said the project was clear evidence that scraps from the mine could be used for development elsewhere.

Debswana also donated two pre-used Isuzu and Hilux vehicles for use by the trust as well as recyclable material and PPE worth over P166 000.

He said in driving the circular economy, the mine recently used water drawn from people’s homesteads during floods in Letlhakane.

Another business partner, Dream Choice, donated P75 000 for scaffolding, plumbing, wire mash and trenching.ends