- Collaboration heralds journey of economic growth and shared prosperity
- Employs 90 % from Mababe community
- Investors commit to developing cultural village in Mababe
A tripartite collaboration in the eco-tourism sector has birthed a new jewel of a safari camp in the Mababe’s NG 41: Wilderness Mokete which has revolutionarised the industry on the edge of the Mababe depression.
Wilderness Mokeke is a collaboration between Wilderness Botswana, its business partner African Field Sports and the Mababe community through the Mababe Dzokotshama Community Development Trust.
The new uniquely designed camp sit in NG 41, a concession under the custodianship of the Mababe community, which has been leased to the business partners for development and management.
On Friday last week the stunning facility was officially opened in a celebratory setup graced by the tourism minister Winter Mmolotsi among the high-level government delegation, Wilderness Botswana executive management, a delighted Mababe community in the form of the Trust’s entire board, staff and members of the media.
At the fore, for the Mababe community, the facility provides great prospect of employment creation, an elusive endeavor for remote communities and worst for those living in wildlife areas, where quite often that human wildlife conflicts disrupts livelihoods.
African Field Sports Managing director Kobus Calitz revealed that on completion, Wilderness Mokete employed 49, with 90% of those being from the community.
Under the operation, and in conjunction with the trust, Calitz said they determined to assist the community grow through meaningful community development initiatives.
To this end, Calitz revealed that plans are afoot to establish a cultural village for the community which would show case the rich cultural heritage of the people in the area. The cultural village, he said would provide an opportunity for the young unemployed and the elderly to share the Mababe story, and showcase the arts.
Due to its strategic location as a transit place for self-drive tourists and proximity to other safari camps in the greater area, the cultural village will be an attraction for a large number of tourists and make substantial revenue.
Meanwhile environment and tourism minister Winter Mmolotsi, who officiated at the opening, emphasised the important role played by sustainable tourism in turning natural resources into a powerful engine of growth.
He further appreciated that Wilderness Mokete was located within a Mababe community owned NG 41 concession area, adding “the need for the development to contribute to improving the livelihoods of the host community cannot be overemphasised.”
Mokete is more than just a destination for relaxation and adventure, but a vital contributor to the economy and to the community around it, Mmolotsi said.
“By attracting visitors from around the world, Wilderness Mokete will create jobs, stimulate local businesses and forster a sense of community pride. In opening Mokete, we are taking a significant step to a future where economic development and conservation go hand in hand.”
Mmolotsi implored Wilderness and partners to allow domestic travel to thrive by providing the opportunity for Batswana to visit the camp, appreciate the country’s endowment of natural resources as well as benefits accrued from sustainable utilisation.
Wilderness Group Chief Executive Officer Keith Vincent said the company embraces collaborations in the journey of growing tourism, adding that partnerships with communities in concessions they own are even more valuable than where the partnerships are between investors and government only especially in national parks and game reserves.
“The role between government, communities and the investors expands economic opportunities for the growth of this industry.”
Vincent has further pledged support for the establishment of a cultural village in Mababe Village, which lies only 30 minutes’ drive from Wilderness Mokete. This is cultural product offering remains the missing link within a circuit of product offering that tourists ought to be experiencing in and around the Okavango Delta.
