25 Jun 2025

Residents of Mokobaxane and Kedia in Boteti have have been implored to revive community trusts.

 Addressing the leadership of the two villages on Monday, Boteti West MP, Mr Sam Digwa said trusts were established with the sole purpose of stimulating the village economy and creating employment opportunities as a move to alleviate poverty. He said Khumaga Trust was presently the only functioning trust in Boteti area.

The legislator also expressed concern about veld fires in Boteti, noting that  they destroyed natural resources. He proposed that a grader should be secured through Community Constituency Projects Fund to assist in creating firebreaks. Mr Digwa noted that it was important to conserve natural resources and protect flora and fauna.

In his comment, Lenao La ga Kwalabe Trust vice chairperson Mr Keleemetse Shimane pleaded with government to accord them access to Kalahari Game Reserve so that they could develop cultural sites. He said there was a lot of tourism opportunities within the park, hence the request. Mr Shimane said Lenao La ga Kwalabe Trust sites were not easily accessible for day to day running as they were located far from the village centre. 

He emphasised the importance of having a trust vehicle to facilitate their operations, noting that they had failed to establish a ranch as planned. Mr Shimane said they had another plot in the village that was not electrified nor fenced but their intentions was to establish a link that would connect all their sites.

Mokopi Trust Chairperson, Mr Unangoni Ngalang said their trust had received funding but did not get any output. He said the trust’s restaurant construction was allocated a six months duration but had not been completed yet. Lions at the trust, Mr Ngalang said were at risk because there was no guard at the site, adding that copper and engine for the trust mini- bus were stolen.

He urged Mr Digwa to assist them to speed up completion of the project. The Village Development Committee Chairperson Mr Bonyere Jane called for an audit of Mokopi Trust and Boteti Cultural Festival. ENDS