18 Apr 2021

Botswana does not have a working deal signed with American entertainment and resort company Disney World, Vice President, Mr Slumber Tsogwane has stated.

Giving a response during Leader of the House question time at the National Assembly on Thursday, Mr Tsogwane said two years ago, government held discussions with Disney World over a possible collaboration, but no deal had been agreed to.

Mr Tsogwane said the President, Dr Mokgweetsi Masisi, visited Disney World as part of a tour of the United States of America in February 2019 where, among other things, he was looking for investors to do business in Botswana either in partnership with government or the private sector.

While in the United States, the President and his delegation engaged in meetings with the management of Disney World to identify opportunities for the company to collaborate within Botswana.

“There were a number of opportunities for collaboration that were identified to be followed up for bilateral negotiations with different institutions. The key area identified was for enhanced customer care training and development akin to that of Disney World,” Mr Tsogwane said.

He said Botswana Public Service College (BPSC) was assigned to collaborate with Disney World to prepare a training programme that would achieve excellent customer service for the public sector.

“Representatives of Disney World visited Botswana on a fact finding mission in May 2019. While in Botswana the team toured different sites such as Gaborone bus rank, Tlokweng border post and the Department of Roads, Training and Safety offices. Following this, Disney World produced a report which detailed training and engagement timelines for consideration by government," Mr Tsogwane said.

He further said in welcoming the Disney World team, deputy permanent secretary to the President (DPSP) explained that the company had been identified to assist in spearheading the Botswana Customer Care Capacity Building project, which would change the delivery of services to the public.

Mr Tsogwane added that DPSP in his remarks also detailed how BPSC had initiated discussions with the Disney Institute, which then produced a scoping and discussion document proposal followed by their visit for both sides to engage and appreciate Botswana's needs and the proposed solutions.

“In fulfilment of our procurement requirements, Disney World was requested to produce a proposal based on their scoping report indicating associated cost implications. They, however, declined to submit, citing that they do not deal directly with governments after being advised by the Disney World board,” Mr Tsogwane revealed.

The Disney Institute then advised Botswana to deal with another company in the United States, which according to them operated in a similar model to Disney World, Mr Tsogwane added.

But, the Vice President said, this was never proceeded with as the initial interest had been on Disney and not any other company at that point in time. He said as a result, no contract was signed with Disney Institute.

Moreover, he said the issue of visa restrictions between countries was negotiated through diplomatic channels and Botswana would continue discussing means of easing visa requirements with the United States, although in the current era of COVID-19, countries had become more stringent with who they allowed into their territory.

Mr Tsogwane was answering a question from Serowe South MP, Mr Leepetswe Lesedi, who had asked for an update on government's deal with Disney World.

Mr Lesedi further asked whether the deal was signed, when it was signed, clear specifics of the deal and its benefits to Botswana tourism.

He also sought to know when visa restrictions between Botswana and the United States of America, would be eased and visas issued on arrival as per the Disney World agreement.

Mr Lesedi also inquired if the deal struck with Disney World was not just mere electioneering talk that would not see the light of day.ENDS