07 Oct 2025

Culture is a bridge that connects the past and the present and carries symbolic values that need to be preserved for future generations.

Unveiling the Parakarungu Cultural Heritage Monument on Saturday, Vice President Ndaba Gaolathe commended Basubiya for remaining deeply rooted in their history and cultural heritage, which were displayed through language, food, practices, song and dance on the day.

Gaolathe said the monument stood as a symbol of the rich cultural heritage of the Basubiya people and shone forth as a celebration of their unique identity. He described the monument as a hallmark of Basubiya’s efforts aimed at safeguarding and preserving the cultural heritage and natural resources of the Chobe region.

The Vice President said the landmark would attract tourists from across the globe to come and immerse themselves in the beauty of the region and that of Botswana.

“Celebrate this work of art with a sense of pride and honour it by preserving it for your children,”, he said, encouraging the community to jealously guard the monument, which captured the essence of the Chobe region through artistic work showing basketry, arts and crafts, crops, the diverse wildlife species and the towering palm trees.

Gaolathe also said Parakarungu had been an agricultural hub for many decades despite the constant incidents of human-wildlife conflict that the village was facing. He, however, stated that government would restore agriculture in the village and in the rest of the country through the Botswana Economic Transformation Programme.

Kgosi Johane Chika III said the monument showcased their cultural identity and told the story of the Basubiya to the rest of the world. He remarked that the monument would attract tourists and investors to his village hence government should upgrade the road from Kachikau to Parakarungu to bitumen standard to facilitate ease of movement.

Regarding agriculture in the village, Kgosi Chika highlighted that Parakarungu had cemented itself as a renowned producer of maize since time immemorial and that travellers from afar used to frequent the village to buy maize.

Member of Parliament for Chobe, Simasiku Mapulanga said the monument brought about diversity for rural tourism where visitors would enjoy ecotourism products that allowed for interaction with locals.

Such interaction, he said was necessary for ensuring cultural preservation as it would afford tourists the opportunity to learn from locals and gain insights into the Basubiya culture and practices. He encouraged the people of Parakarungu to market their monument, which he described as a legacy that should be preserved to the world.

The monument was funded by Chobe Enclave Conservation Trust at a tune of P178 000 for design and construction. ENDS