14 Mar 2022

Tourism operators recently converged at Sedia hotel to celebrate the life of one of the tourism industry pioneers, the late Ms Veronica Roodt.

The 65-year-old is said to have died at her camp in Moremi Game Reserve on February 21, sitting on her camp chair overlooking the Okavango Delta, the place that she loved dearly and spent most of her life researching and mapping.

Ms Roodt  who originated from South Africa, lived in Botswana for 34 years.  She was an author of travel and field guide books and was well known for her artwork which was sold on exhibitions in Botswana and Africa. Her publications include drawings and paintings of plants and trees.

She also conducted research on wildlife, plants and their uses from her base in a tented bush camp.

Speakers took turns to talk about her contribution in the development of the tourism industry locally, noting that she would be remembered for her scientific publications which aimed to teach people about nature and wild-flowers, trees and grass of the Okavango delta.

They described her as a mother of nature whose  legacy would live forever in the industry as she used her God-given talent to impact positively on the lives of safari guides and the Ngamiland community in general.

Her books and research benefitted safari guides as they were written and elaborated well to make them easy to understand.
Impala Tours director, Mr Duncan Enga said Vero, as Ms Roodt was affectionately called, had made strides in the industry adding that she advocated for the improvement of access roads into the park and alternative roads to reduce congestion at Moremi Game Reserve.

Another project in the pipeline, he said was the construction of a small museum at South Gate and to decongest traffic to the Xakanaka area.

He called upon the relevant department and other stakeholders to honour her by making her dream a reality.

“We have lost a resourceful icon, a great woman who selflessly served the industry and the community of Ngamiland with love,” he reiterated.

Mr Mompoloki Morapedi who represented Chobe guides described Ms Roodt as a pillar that connected nature and guides.

Her life and legacy, he said, deserved to be celebrated as she imparted knowledge to local guides, which would be shared with the next generation and other interested parties.

“Some safari companies in Chobe had benefited a lot from selling her travel and field guide books and maps which are used by travellers,” he said.

Director of Desert and Delta Safaris and Ms Roodt’s neighbour in the Moremi area, Mr Walter Smith said Ms Roodt ‘s life deserved to be celebrated as she contributed significantly to the tourism industry and conservation of wildlife and plants as well as promotion of culture.

Mr Smith said that they had worked closely as they were in a remote area, adding that she offered training to his guides. He hailed her as an icon who left a legacy that needed to be maintained.

An official from the Department of Wildlife and National Parks stationed at the Xakanaka area, Mr Abednico Selelo said she met Ms Roodt in 2018 and enjoyed every moment they spent together as they always discussed issues related to the improvement of the park.

He described her as a strong woman with a big heart and her dream, he said, was to see the park in a good condition with passable access roads and bridges.

A family member, Ms Shirley Roodt said her sister was an educationalist with extensive knowledge.

“She was an inspiration and educationalist at heart and made Botswana tourism accessible to many people through her sterling work.

Nobody can deny that she lived an ordinary life, she was a Motswana at heart and very talented in organising exhibitions both in Botswana and South Africa,” she added. Ends