15 Nov 2023

Government has, through the Transitional National Development Plan (TNDP), designed a package of varied projects for Chobe Constituency to the value of P1.3 billion.

Responding to the State of the Nation Address on Tuesday, the MP for Chobe,  Mr Machana Shamukuni, said among the planned projects was the Kasane-Kazungula re-development. He said the project was of primary importance to the community of Chobe as the area was reliant on tourism.

“The project will diversify and grow the tourism sector and by so doing improve the livelihoods of the community as they will be exposed to increased business opportunities in the tourism sub-sector value chain to tap into,” he said.

Mr Shamukuni, who is also the Minister of Justice, said Kasane was faced with stern competition from other tourism destinations in neighbouring countries such as Livingstone and Victoria Falls, and were equally engaged in re-optimising their tourism offerings and turning the towns into tourism destinations of choice.

Therefore, he said the planned development would turn Kasane into an equally competent tourist destination.

“We want to receive more tourists,” he said.

Mr Shamukuni said the MICE strategy of turning the country into an undisputed event, conferences and meetings destination has worked wonders as Botswana was now on the world map as a host of international gatherings.

“My constituency is one of the locations that will greatly benefit from the MICE strategy and will benefit more especially in the tourism sector,” he said.

He said the MICE strategy must encourage local suppliers to up their game and be in a position to benefit from the prevailing opportunities.

He said economies of some cities across the world were primarily reliant on the opportunities that arise from hosting international meetings, therefore urging service providers to align themselves and benefit from the opportunity.

On the use of identity cards to cross the border between Botswana and Namibia, Mr Shamukuni said the development was a positive one for residents of bordering villages. The decision has not only eased movement but will go a long way in building relations with bordering nations.

Mr Shamukuni also said the  President, Dr Mokgweetsi Masisi, had the vision to instigate change in various sectors of the economy including livelihoods. As a transformative leader, Mr Shamukuni said President Masisi had outlined a clear roadmap and would leave long-lasting footprints.

He said under President Masisi, the agricultural sector was transforming as farmers were encouraged to view the sector as a profitable business undertaking. Among his memorable achievements, Mr Shamukuni said Dr Masisi has redefined the country’s relationship with DeBeers in terms of shares from diamond mining.

“We are on the path of reaping more with a number of Batswana benefiting by taking advantage of opportunities available in the diamond industry value chain,” he said.

Mr Shamukuni said the footprints were also visible in the development of the tourism sector.

Mr Shamukuni said his newly established ministry was mandated to improve the justice system of Botswana.

He said the October 31, report of the World Justice Project ranking rated Botswana’s Justice System as the best in Africa and among the best in the world.

He said his ministry had a clear mandate of taking the justice system to greater heights as well as attaining international standards by amending the laws in place and coming up with new legislation.

However, he said it was unfortunate to observe descending voices who never saw good in what government was doing as they were only focused on the negativity.

Mr Shamukuni said government had engaged the UN in a review aimed at coming up with a comprehensive Criminal Justice System. He said the review would, in the end, guide the establishment of a comprehensive justice system and broadly do away with challenges in the system. “I am confident that we are building a stable justice system which will be the pinnacle of a true democracy,” he said. ENDS