10 Aug 2021

 A German Cooperation financed project aimed at facilitating active participation of communities in  the tourism industry  has been launched.

Launched by Minister of Environment, Natural Resources, Conservation and Tourism, Ms Philda Kereng, in Kasane recently, the project is part of the P7.3 million that the German Cooperation availed to support the five partner states of Kavango Zambezi Transfrontier Conservation (KAZA).

Minister Kereng said the project would be implemented by Birdlife Botswana to support Hwange-Kazuma-Chobe wildlife dispersal area communities.

She noted that COVID-19 had left many Chobe residents, who were dependent on the tourism industry, jobless. As a result, the ministry had to find ways of supporting affected communities hence the German Cooperation financial assistance.

“This project is in line with government’s agenda which emphasises the development of value chains in various sectors to open up opportunities for the locals,” she said.

She explained that in Chobe, the objective would be realised by supporting the Pandamatenga, Lesoma Kazungula (PALEKA) Community Trust to develop a sustainable joint venture with government and the private sector. The trust would be assisted to construct an office and capacitate board members through training, he said.

Minister Kereng said 15 residents of Lesoma, Kazungula and Pandamatenga would be supported with equipment and training to run beekeeping, horticulture and poultry businesses linking them with tourism facilities. 

Birdlife Botswana director, Mr Motshereganyi Kootsositse said the organisation would work in collaboration with the District Technical Advisory Committee and other stakeholders to implement the project. He said a feasibility study would be carried out prior to implementation of the project. 

Chobe District Council secretary, Mr Esau Mbanga, praised the initiative for prioritising  human development saying it would reduce the burden of social welfare issues. ends