07 Aug 2025

The recognition of Shakawe as a Ramsar Wetland City is expected to expedite developments and benefit the community.

Shakawe was declared a Ramsar Wetland City during the 64^th Ramsar Convention Standing Committee meeting in January 24. It was also awarded a certificate under the Ramsar Wetland Accreditation (WCA) scheme, which was received by Okavango District Council chairperson, Mr Gaopalelwe Ronald in Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe recently. 

In an interview, Mr Ronald said the recognition would help attract more tourists and investors to the village, which would benefit the local community and the country.  Mr Ronald said the recognition of Shakawe as a Wetland City followed a task team report by the Ministry of Environment and Tourism, which appreciated the abundant natural resources including the flora and fauna as well as measures that were put in place by the Okavango communities to preserve the natural resources.

He said the recognition would attract key partners in natural resources preservation and conservation, while the communities would explore ways of generating income through sustainable tourism practices. The other benefit, he said was to explore the possible partnership, linking the Okavango District with national parks in neighbouring countries such as Namibia with economic benefits to Botswana.

Mr Ronald said Chobe-Kanzugula and Shakawe were recognised as the 30^th and 31^st Ramsar Wetlands Cities respectively, adding that the two areas would consider working together to maximise benefits from the wetlands status. In addition, Mr Ronald said the recognition challenged the Okavango community and leadership to work hard to ensure the village maintained the standard of a wetland city.

As such, he said the village would put in place measures to improve cleanliness in Shakawe and the district. Currently, Mr Ronald said littering and lack of proper garbage disposal facilities were challenges in the district. The council chairperson said they planned to have a proper landfill and incinerator as well as set up waste recycling facilities. ENDS