22 Feb 2023

The Ministry of Environment and Tourism, through Botswana Tourism Organisation (BTO), has used over P9 million (P9, 185, 001) on all tenders awarded during the Makgadikgadi Epic which was held in Sua Pan from July 1-3 last year. 

This was revealed by Assistant Minister of Local Government and Rural Development, Mr Mabuse Pule who was answering a question in Parliament on Tuesday. 

Answering on behalf of environment and tourism minister, Mr Pule said from the total value of all tenders, over P8 million (P8, 551, 672.32) accrued to citizen-owned companies. 

He said the total direct investment to the private businesses was estimated at about P21 million (P21, 187, 001.10) while expenditure by spectators was about P12 million (P12, 029, 200.78). He added that 89 service providers were contracted for the event out of which 85 were citizen-owned companies. 

Further, he said that local companies or Small Medium Micro Enterprises in Nata/Sowa area benefited from the expenditure by those who attended the event. 

“The event brings cross-cutting demand across different commodities such as petrol, accommodation, retailers, butchery, confectionaries, transport hire, tent hire, crafts, firewood, bike rentals and food vendors,” he said. 

On other issues, he said BTO continued to work with all stakeholders and authorities to maximise benefits of Makgadikgadi Epic to the host area, adding that would continue to go beyond the days of the event. He added that while there were accommodation facilities in the area that served patrons to the event, the ministry would make efforts to look for other opportunities within what was allowable by the Land Use and Management Plan. 

Member of Parliament for Nata/Gweta, Mr Polson Majaga had asked the minister to state how much was benefited from the event and how the community benefited from the funds. 

Mr Majaga also wanted to know if there were future plans to allocate land for accommodation such as lodges and holiday homes next to where the event was held. ends