20 Jun 2022

The implementation of some envisaged tourism projects in Maun’s Matlapana ward is expected to reduce the rate of unemployment in the area.

Speaking in an interview, Matlapana leader, Kgosi Tshupegetso Bontsibokae decried the high rate of unemployment in the area, particularly among the youth.

He said the COVID-19 pandemic had exacerbated the situation, noting some who were employed in the tourism industry had lost their jobs during the pandemic as the sector was hard hit.

Kgosi Bontsibokae has his hopes pinned on the proposed projects, which include construction of a botanical garden, recreational park at Old Matlapana Bridge and management of Matlapana beach among others.

Through the projects, Matlapana Community Development Trust intends to not only preserve natural resources and cater for ecotourism activities but to generate income for the development of the area.

 “We are pinning our hopes on the proposed projects as we believe once they take shape, they will create employment opportunities for the villagers including young people, who are mostly idling while some have resorted to social ills,” explained Kgosi Bontsibokae.

He said the projects would create business opportunities, allowing self-sustainability for informal workers.

He noted that some of the projects had been funded, such as the botanical garden, which was supported by Conservation Trust Fund to the tune of P1 million.

Through the funding, he said, the trust, had fenced the plot but experienced delay in developing it as they wanted to drill a borehole before planting trees although the budget did not cater for a borehole.

Kgosi Bontsibokae also acknowledged that Old Matlapana Bridge, which had been given a face lift, was officially handed over to the trust in 2020 for ecotourism activities.

The bridge was constructed in the 1930s as a point of transit across the Thamalakane River and with the facelift it was expected to be used by the local community for recreational activities, wedding photography, selling of art and crafts and other related activities.

Kgosi Bontsibokae revealed that the department of National Museum and Monuments had promised to construct ablutions at the bridge.

He said the local council had applied for user rights of the Matlapana beach, adding that he was hopeful that they would acquire the rights and utilise the area to sustain the community’s livelihoods, through tourism related activities.

“Once we acquire the area, we intend to establish a boat station to generate income and the trust will be responsible for managing the area,” he added.

The traditional leader further noted that naturally, Matlapana was a tourism area and said they had plans to preserve the old road that passes through the bridge connecting Maun and Francistown.

Kgosi Bontsibokae explained that the said road had a rich history and believed it could be used as a tourist attraction site,. He said they had  engaged Tawana Land Board to relocate some households along the road and were awaiting response. ENDs