30 Oct 2026

Small, medium and micro businesses have been urged to brand their products, as it would help identify them in both the local and international markets.

Officiating at Rolong Business Expo at Metlojane in the Goodhope district recently, the Minister of Lands and Agriculture, Dr Edwin Dikoloti, who is also a Member of Parliament for Goodhope/Mmathethe constituency, said the district has been well known for its agricultural shows that have been attracting many.

He commended Rolong Business Expo as a private entity for spearheading the forum to give exposure to the small business entrepreneurs. 

Dr Dikoloti said the district has a rich heritage, noting that most of the exhibitors were the elderly who showcased their hand-crafted works. 

He noted that, as the district, they had always viewed AGOA markets as a distant platform that could not be accessed.

Dr Dikoloti highlighted to the small business community that, from the recent national China visit, the Chobe District Council signed a memorandum of understanding with another Province in China where there was a shop selling some Botswana products, saying the district could benchmark in Chobe district for international market opportunities. 

The minister said he believed that even the independent handcrafters, doing business elsewhere should be having their handcrafts showcased at Botswana Crafts centre.

“I would be very pleased as a Member of Parliament to see businesses like those in the Main Mall all gaining access to the markets,” said Dr Dikoloti.

He promised to reach out and invite other ministers to Goodhope district whenever they had international visitors, saying the move could help residents of Goodhope district to gain exposure and be better positioned for trading their region’s branded goods. 

Minister Dikoloti noted that women weavers were unable to maximise the Bots60 season and as such, he encouraged the entrepreneurs to always maximise sales during national ceremonial event. He said it was pleasing to see the exhibitors showing willingness to heed advice and said it positioned them for growth. 

Dr Dikoloti said some creativity was interesting, especially in demonstrating a green environment through recycling plastic bags to make crafts. He commended government stakeholders such as CEDA for bracing the event and further urged attendees to visit the organisation for assistance in poultry farming alongside agro farming. 

The minister said he was hopeful and looked forward to some development programmes in the pipeline, citing the road connecting Mmathethe-Bray, and Werda as vital in linking the production area with the market, as well as Digawana-Molapowabojang to Gaborone as being the shortest in providing access to markets.

Regarding tourism, he cited some community trusts, especially at Mokatako and Mmathethe, as viable for tourism. He urged Botswana Tourism Organisation (BTO), the parliamentary office, together with the event organisers to collaborate towards promoting tourism in the area. 

He cited horse racing sports, which was well established within the corridor from Metlobo up to Sekhutlane and further pleaded with BTO to put the district tourism activities on their events calendar. 

The minister said should there be a budget, Goodhope District be allowed to host the state-of-the-art dog field race. He mentioned the existence of water pans and traditional choirs and further urged private stakeholders to collaborate towards promoting such tourism activities in the district. 

When sharing the objectives of the Rolong Business Expo earlier, Mr Lawrence Kokole, organising committee spokesperson said it aimed to help small, medium and micro businesses to access markets and relevant avenues, saying they were intending to pick 10 small business entrepreneurs for mentorship and take them through to graduate in the next forum.

He said they intended to take the voice of the small entrepreneurs to establish relations in order to access the foreign markets as one.

Mr Kokole added that they found the need to form working partnerships with the government, the Goodhope council and the private sector.

He said they were expecting to expand the forum to Mafikeng, as they were planning to host the Goodhope/Mafikeng Investment Forum to promote business exchange in their next forum. ENDS