04 Feb 2026

The Okavango District should fully harness their wetlands for optimum benefit.
Even though rich with natural resources and being in close proximity to the Okavango Delta, which is a UNESCO World heritage site, Shakawe and the district as a whole remains economically marginalised.
Speakers at the national Wetlands Day commemorations in Shakawe on Monday pinned hopes on the status of Shakawe as a Ramsar site Wetlands City, a rank bestowed on the village last July for its commitment to conservation of the Okavango Delta.
Officiating at the event, the Assistant Minister of Local Government and Traditional Affairs, Mr Ignatius Moswaane emphasised that the Okavango District should take advantage of the Shakawe wetlands city stature to improve tourism avenues and ensure that they benefited the communities.
Mr Moswaane observed that the Okavango Delta with its unique and attractive water ways and its diverse wildlife, has potential to create employment opportunities through tourism.
He further implored communities in the wetlands proximity to respect policies and regulations aimed to ensure the sustainable use of natural resources.
Traditional knowledge he said, was also crucial in the preservation of natural resources as cultural beliefs passed from generation to generation played a pivotal role hence this year’s event theme appreciated that aspect.
The assistant minister stressed the importance of maintaining good environmental upkeep of natural resources and urged residents to also be alive to the effects of climate change on the natural resources available in their area. Okavango West Member of Parliament Mr Kenny Kapinga highlighted the need to develop the Shakawe village riverfront to expedite tourism for local communities.
Mr Kapinga observed the need to relocate some government facilities such as the Botswana Defence Force camp to make way for tourism development.
He said such a move would facilitate establishment of hotels on the riverfront and would support tourism activities such as boat cruises and fishing, therefore making tourism more profitable for local communities.
Okavango District Council chairman Mr Gaopalelwe Ronald observed that local communities depended on the delta for food such as fish and wild fruits, and used the mokoro (canoe) for transport.
Mr Ronald hence further shared that wetland lands were intertwined with cultural heritage as cultural beliefs helped drive conservation pre-modernisation. ENDS