17 Mar 2014

Okavango residents have been encouraged to venture into tourism related businesses if they are to take advantage of living in a tourist attractive area.

Officiating at the Citizen Entrepreneurial Development Agency (CEDA)’s Open Day recently, the agency’s chief operations officer, Mr Lesego Selotate said CEDA had financed the Okavango area with about P18.8 million.

He said that in farming alone, the area had been given P1. 8 million; property and manufacturing have benefited to the tune of P1.7 Million, while other services have got P15.3 million.

Mr Selotate said that the government was taking action to eradicate poverty with organisations like CEDA to create job opportunities.

He also said their services included giving loans to start businesses, short term funding, and mortgage equity assistance.

He, therefore, urged the residents to take the initiative in order for them to create employment and improve their lives.

One of the beneficiaries, Mr Seadimo Sethwara, who hails from Shakawe, gave a testimony as one of the young people that CEDA had financed.

He said he had ventured into the tourism business of guest houses, advising fellow residents to have passion on what they wanted to do as it had helped him to realise his dreams. He said that very soon the guest house business would be operating.

Mr Sethwara said that three things that had kept him going included hope, faith and passion.

He also advised the community to venture into tourism businesses and also asked CEDA to introduce a help desk in the village as they got help far away in Maun.

Kgosi Mutemo Mbambo said that he was moved by the attendance, adding that that it showed that Shakawe residents had been hungry for education about CEDA products.

Kgosi Mbambo also encouraged the community to venture into businesses such as lodges, clothing and bakery. ENDS