18 Jan 2024

Chobe District residents have been implored to tap into opportunities that accrue from Kasane earmarked as Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, Exhibitions (MICE) destination. 

Addressing a kgotla meeting in Kasane on Wednesday, the Minister of Justice and MP for Chobe, Mr Machana Shamukuni, said Kasane had proven to be an excellent host having hosted the 14th L’Oreal-UNESCO for Women in Science Sub-Saharan Africa Awards, the 18th session of the Intergovernmental Committee for the ICH, and the annual Botswana Travel and Tourism Expo, among others last year. 

Mr Shamukuni explained that government’s decision to position Botswana as a MICE hub was meant to cultivate socio-economic development not just for tourism but also stimulate the demand for Botswana’s products. 

“Kasane has the potential to become an events hub due to its strategic location nestled between three countries which gives the  Chobe people an opportunity to tap into this and benefit from value chains that accrue from hosting international events,” he said. 

He advised residents to be prepared as more events would be coming, stressing the need to always have appropriate documents like tax clearance certificate, company profiles, trade license and certificate of incorporation. 

He implored people of Chobe to get ready for the FNB Kazungula Bridge Marathon billed for February 24 and liaise with the Botswana Tourism Organisation to issue them licenses to operate businesses by converting part of their homes to accommodate guests in order to bridge the gap of shortage of accommodation as all facilities are fully booked on the marathon weekend. 

Mr Shamukuni said the Kasane-Kazungula redevelopment project has taken shape with most of the offices at the River Front and along the President Avenue having relocated to pave way for the Kasane facelift. 

However, he said the relocation of residents in Kgaphamadi-Kasane would await the servicing of land in Plateau-Nyungwe. 

He said 874 plots were expected to be serviced this year following the termination of the initial contractor who failed to deliver on contractual terms. 

Mr Shamukuni said about P1.6 billion had been set aside for Chobe projects, which included roads expansion, Kasane hospital, relocation of offices and land servicing. 

Kasane Court President, Kgosi Thuso Wasetso said the Kasane-Kazungula redevelopment plan would transform the image of Chobe as a tourist destination. 

He thanked government for the new developments in Kasane, being the sport facility, water treatment plant and other projects that were in the pipeline. 

The VDC chairperson, Ms Gladys Motho, lauded the construction of a new Kasane hospital as it was announced by President Mokgweetsi Masisi in Kavimba in November. 

Ms Motho said the new developments projected for Kasane would create employment especially for youth. She asked government to keep residents informed about the developments and the relocation exercise from Kgaphamadi so that they stayed prepared for the process. 

She requested that a new assessment of developments should be done for Kgaphamadi homes that were earmarked to pave the way for the redevelopment projects because the last one was done in 2015 of which many had done modifications to their homes. ENDS