05 Jul 2023

Okavango Kopano Mokoro Community Trust (OKMCT) has launched an initiative dubbed ‘Tapyowa NG32 experience,’ targeting tourists eager to experience the beauty of the famous Okavango Delta using mokoro.

The product which was launched at Xaxaba village right in the heart of the delta is characterised by activities such as mokoro relay race, storytelling, cultural activities and games such as tag of war in the water.

OKMCT operates in five villages of Boro, Xharaxao, Xuoxao, Daunara and Xaxaba and it offers tourism products and services in a controlled hunting area known as NG32, an area found in the heart of the deltas.

Speaking during the launch of the product on Saturday, North West district commissioner, Mr Thabang Waloka hailed OKMCT for exploring opportunities to diversify their tourism package.

He appreciated the initiative noting that it was an indication that the trust was reaping the benefits of Community Based Natural Resource Management (CBNRM) programme.

The programme focuses on providing incentives for communities to take responsibility for managing natural resources sustainably. The new product, he said had the potential to diversify the existing products and eventually improve cash flow.

Mr Waloka also noted that Tapyowa initiative would promote sport and cultural tourism citing that tourism in their area was nature based and had a rich history which could attract tourists.

He further said more products would enhance and increase length of stay of tourists as well as help to alleviate poverty.

“It is good to see community trusts coming up with brilliant initiatives or projects aimed to improve the livelihoods of the communities rather than wasting time in internal fights for positions. I encourage other trusts to also focus on some income generating projects which will create employment opportunities for locals and improve local economy,” he said.

Mr Waloka said Tapyowa initiative would promote domestic tourism citing that after Khawa Challenge, Batswana and other tourists would visit NG32 concession to appreciate the beauty of the delta. 

The coordinator of Tapyowa initiative, Kgosi Edwin Maleho of Tsutsubega said the new product was part of their marketing strategy to expand tourism base products in the area to enhance economic activities and transform the image of villages affiliated to the trust.

He also said through the initiative, they wanted to boost the trust coffers and ensure communities benefited as expected. Kgosi Maleho was hopeful that with the initiative, tourists would fully enjoy the experience while at the same time supporting local businesses in the area.

Meanwhile, prior to the launch, OKMCT celebrated 25 years of existence and awarded trust veterans for their contribution towards the growth of the trust. Established in 1997, the trust main purpose was to promote sustainable utilisation of natural resources through direct participation of communities in managing the environment, wildlife and plant species abundant in their vicinity.

Speaking at the ceremony, Ngamiland Council of Non-Governmental Organizations (NCONGO) executive director, Mr Siyoka Simasiku thanked government for facilitating the formation of the trust under CBNRM and allocation of NG32 to the trust.

He said that OKMCT was a people centred trust as it had always involved communities in whatever decisions were taken for their contribution.

Mr Simasiku said the trust believed that their indigenous knowledge coupled with expertise from various fields were crucial to the growth of the trust.

Some of the success stories of OKMCT he said included borehole drilling and water reticulations, construction of pre-schools and playing grounds, old age housing project, construction of new trust offices and the commissioning of a mini shopping mall construction in Maun among others.ends