09 Dec 2024

The newly-opened Cresta Grande Jwaneng hotel is expected to contribute towards enhancing the hospitality and tourism sector thereby augmenting the economic gains from mining.

The 49-bedroom property, which is an extension of the Jwaneng Cresta facility, is a partnership between Cresta Marakanelo Limited and Debswana Pension Fund (DPF) as the developer.

Speaking at the official opening recently, the Minister of Environment and Tourism, Mr Wynter Mmolotsi said the facility’s strategic location along the Trans Kalahari Highway made it easily accessible to local and international visitors. He noted that the tourism industry had the potential to diversify the country’s economy and create the much-needed employment opportunities for Batswana.

“As we work towards diversifying our economy, which is heavily reliant on diamonds, the tourism industry, with the right reforms and support from the government, has great potential to contribute even more significantly to the Gross Domestic Product as well as additional and sustainable employment opportunities for Batswana. It is a vehicle for attracting foreign direct investment into the country” he said.

Mr Mmolotsi noted that as the government prioritised economic revitalisation, it was committed to facilitating the private sector to ensure that such a transformation was realised. He underscored the need to create a conducive business environment for the private sector to play its part towards diversifying the economy and creating employment.

“To support this growth, the government is committed to fostering an optimal environment for the private sector to explore value chain opportunities in strategic sectors such as minerals, energy, manufacturing, agriculture and importantly, the tourism industry. To this end, the government is accelerating various economic reforms as outlined in the State-of-the-Nation Address, and we will continue to create an enabling environment to enhance ease of doing business,” he noted.

Consequently, the minister hailed Cresta Marakanelo and its partners for such investments which resonated with the government’s transformation aspirations. He said their investments across the country would go a long way in positively impacting on the tourism value chain in Botswana as well as improving the lives of the people.

Debswana Pension Fund Chief Executive Officer, Ms Gosego January said the property symbolised their commitment to investing in impactful and sustainable investments for their members, while at the same time contributing to the country’s economic development. She said it also indicated their efforts of blending the drive for financial benefits with the social and economic returns of the communities.

“Debswana Pension Fund is dedicated to making impactful investments, both domestically and beyond, to better our nation. We strive to balance financial returns with social and economic needs of the communities we serve, reaffirming our commitment to building a future where growth is inclusive and sustainable,” she said.

She said the partnership between DPF and Cresta Marakanelo, which dated back to 2016, would contribute towards the economic diversification the country strived for as well as making a lasting impact. She was optimistic that the modern property would make Jwaneng a destination of choice for both business and leisure travellers.

“For decades Jwaneng has been known as a mining hub, contributing significantly to Botswana’s economy. Today, it takes on a new dimension, becoming a gateway for tourism, hospitality and sustainable development,” she noted.

For his part, Cresta Marakanelo Limited Managing Director, Mr Mokwena Morulane said the facility was a landmark project that took their Botswana room inventory over the 1000 mark, making it a total of 1038 rooms across the country. 

He said such investments not only created direct jobs but also stimulated economic activity particularly in the informal sector. Ends