10 Mar 2023

Oliphants Drift, in the Kgatleng District, will tomorrow host the inaugural fish festival in an effort to diversify tourism sources and promote aqua tourism.

MP for Mochudi East, Mr Mabuse Pule said in an interview on Thursday that one of the event’s objectives was to position Dinokeng villages comprising of Mabalane, Sikwane, Mmathubudukwane, Ramonaka, Malolwane as well as Ramotlabaki and Oliphants Drift as one of the destinations for tourism and investment.

Mr Pule, who is also Assistant Minister of Local Government and Rural Development, said the villages had the potential to host aqua tourism, owing to endowment of water resources available to them.

The event is also poised to celebrate the rich culture and heritage of the people of Oliphants Drift, Ramotlabaki and Phala Camp.

The main goal of the fish festival is to raise awareness to the fishing community in the river villages as valuable lessons will be drawn from the Kumakwane fish farmers and other devoted fishermen who know the techniques, right tools and acumen for fish.

He said the festival would also attract fishermen, fishery stakeholders, and potential customers as well as investors in the industry.

Mr Pule said at least 20 fishermen who registered under the Poverty Eradication Programme would be taught skills on how to grow their businesses and become commercial suppliers.

Meanwhile, Mr Pule said from way back, Madikwe River was the source of prime fish such as bream and catfish but the communities had missed benefiting from fishing activities and development of value chains available in the industry.

“This festival is my brainchild and I want to advocate for it because we have the luxury of being part of the special economic zones and we can supply city dwellers with fresh fish from Madikwe River,” he said.

He said the Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development under community development programmes had bought the idea and supported it at the tune of P50 000 to invigorate fish sector in the area.

He said sustainability of the festival hinged on its success, as it was the first step in a series of intervention that sought to promote aqua tourism in the Dinokeng region.

“We anticipate a huge success to set the tone for the value and supply chains around fisheries, especially looking at the prospects of setting up a viable fisheries market centre and cooperatives to create entrepreneurial ecosystem in aquaculture and aqua-tourism sectors,” he said.

He said the event would further increase the success rate of fishery related business enterprises in the region.

“The day-long activities would include presentation about fishing and processing fish products, recreational fishing and sales of both raw and cooked fish by local fishermen,” he said.

Attendants should also expect exhibitions by different departments and organisations adding that stalls would be available for vendors.

The day’s events will start at 8am until late. ENDS