17 Sep 2026

The land acquisition process for the establishment of the Kalahari Smart City, also referred to as ‘Zotus City’, is taking shape following agreements reached in 2025.

The envisioned US$20 billion project, planned for approximately 4 000 hectares at Junction 44 along the Trans Kalahari Corridor (TKC), is a collaboration between the Government of Botswana and UK-based Zotus Group, facilitated through Botswana Investment and Trade Centre (BITC).

Ghanzi District Council chairperson, Mr Thabiso Kebadile, said this in his speech during the opening of the full council session on Tuesday.

Mr Kebadile informed the house that the Ghanzi Land Board convened a special board meeting with BITC on September 9 and 10, 2026, to facilitate consultations with property owners within the planned smart city boundaries.

He explained that the consultations were intended to inform property owners of the proposed development and its potential implications for their respective properties.

Through the exercise, he said, the board engaged three property owners within the smart city boundary, two in the buffer zone and one outside the buffer zone.

He added that the board was yet to engage one more property owner within the boundary who failed to attend the special board meeting.

“This milestone is a critical part of the land acquisition process and will be followed by valuation and assessment of properties,” he said.

To that end, Mr Kebadile said the Land Board intended to issue notices of intent to treat with the property owners, which would be executed within 30 days of issuance for properties that could not co-exist with the envisaged developments.

He underscored that the document would serve as a formal notice by the land authorities stating the government’s intention to acquire land for public purposes.

“This will not include those owners who are yet to be engaged and those who requested more time to further consult their families,” he emphasised.

Moreover, he noted that the Land Board, BITC and Zotus Group had toured the area to appreciate the extent of the existing properties.

On other issues, Mr Kebadile informed the house of the establishment of Ghanzi’s first community radio station, Kalahari FM 107.9, licensed and operated under Men and Boys for Gender Equality (MBGE), based in Ghanzi. He said the station was envisioned as a community platform that would give Ghanzi and surrounding communities a stronger voice while providing opportunities for local talent, including presenters, newsreaders, reporters, producers, technicians, musicians and other emerging media and creative practitioners.

Based on those opportunities, Mr Kebadile said Kalahari FM would contribute to the development and grooming of local talent, particularly among the youth.

He said the station would provide relevant, accessible and locally produced information in local languages, ensuring that communities could access content that reflected their experiences and priorities.

He added that programmes would cover social and development issues ranging from gender-based violence, health and wellness, HIV/AIDS, child development and protection, education, family and community issues, while also providing entertainment.

Through its entertainment programmes, he said, the station would promote local music and artists while creating space for community voices.

Mr Kebadile further said the station would preserve and promote indigenous knowledge, local culture, traditions, languages and oral histories, helping to strengthen intergenerational learning and promote cultural identity.

Moreover, he applauded the station owners, saying their vision was aligned with the Ghanzi District Council chairperson’s roadmap, particularly its emphasis on talent grooming and creating platforms for local people to develop and showcase their abilities.

He added that Kalahari Arms Hotel had pledged office space to support the establishment of the station, providing an important foundation for its operations in Ghanzi.

He therefore appealed to other stakeholders to support Kalahari FM through contributions towards broadcasting equipment, studio development, programming, training and other resources needed to bring the community platform to life. ENDS