22 Aug 2024

A new wooden bridge at Daunara in the Okavango Delta region will not only benefit residents, but will also boost tourism, says Kgosi Boingotlo Nonyane.

The bridge was constructed by Elephant Protection Society in collaboration with Daunara Foundation, which funded the project.

Speaking at the handing over ceremony on August 20, Kgosi Nonyane said the bridge would ease transportation for tourism operators as well as travellers who traversed the delta to appreciate its beauty.

He noted that his settlement was also the home of mokoro pollers and that residents depended on the delta for survival and food.

He said the bridge would improve accessibility to the area as well as attract more travellers to the region, and urged residents to take care of the bridge and gain more economic benefits. 

Kgosi Nonyane also noted that some wooden bridges in the region had been destroyed by veldt fires and urged residents to tend to it by cutting grass along the bridge.

He commended Lodge Builders Botswana for building the bridge ahead of the stipulated time and within budget, adding that the company also constructed the facility according to specifications by the Department of Water Affairs.

Elephant Protection Society founder, Mr Oaitse Nawa also said Daunara was a tourism destination and that the project would benefit the community and tourism operators.

He thanked all those who contributed towards the success of the project and appealed to traditional leaders to work closely with civil societies to develop their villages.

Mr Nawa said non-governmental organisations were addressing some of challenges faced by communities, noting that in other areas they had drilled boreholes to address acute water shortage for both residents and their livestock.

A representative from Lodge Builders Botswana, Mr Badiri Selawe said the bridge would last more than 10 years without maintenance because they had used quality gum poles.

Daunara Foundation managing director, Mr Kewame Moabi said collaboration on development projects was key and the protection society, community and other stakeholders for prioritising the bridge.

Mr Moabi also highlighted that the bridge would improve movement during flood and that residents, travellers and tourists would be able to travel anytime of the day and night. Ends