The paramount Chief of the Basubiya (Veekuhane) tribe in Botswana, Kgosi Munitenge Lawrence Maeba Sinvula III’s vision for the preservation of his tribe’s cultural heritage while making economic gains has been realised through a partnership with Chobe Game Lodge in the establishment of a cultural museum in Kavimba.
Kgosi Sinvula III, ascended to the throne three years ago and one of his wishes was for the restoration of the Basubiya culture, which had over the years been eroded. This restoration, he said would only be meaningful if it were to benefit the tribe and improve their livelihoods, especially in the tourism-bustling region of Chobe. This was as he noted tourists were becoming more into learning about the cultural practices as compared to wildlife alone.
That is how the idea of a museum – that would showcase the cultural heritage of Basubiya or Veekuhane –as they call themselves, was born.
According to Kgosi Sinvula III, such a museum would then help the younger and future generations learn about their culture while at the same time tapping into the largely unexplored cultural tourism space for financial benefits. The tribal leader, armed with the idea soon realised that the initiative needed funding to materialise.
Chobe Game Lodge came to his mind, for he knew how the Lodge was very much involved in community development in the Chobe for the decades it has been operating in the area.
“I approached Chobe Game Lodge with the idea, and sought their help to realise this vision, by assisting in the refurbishment of the old shelter in the Kgotla into a museum. Chobe Game Lodge acceded to my request.”
He said Chobe Game Lodge further committed, that once the museum became operational, they would also bring their clients to learn about the Basubiya culture.
This agreement between Kgosi Sinvula III and Chobe Game Lodge would set the stage for one of the ground-breaking self-initiated cultural heritage preservation projects, that is also geared towards value chain development in the tourism industry.
The refurbishment of the structure has been completed, and stands on the grounds of Kavimba Kgotla, while the process to source Basubiya artefacts for display in the museum is ongoing.
Sourcing the artefacts, according to Kgosi Sinvula III has been another challenge the project faced. “We came to learn that there were not so many of these artefacts out there, and whatever was available was up for sale. Faced with the challenge of funds to buy these artefacts, we approached Chobe Game Lodge again for assistance,” he said.
Chobe Game Lodge has since provided funding for the sourcing of the needed artefacts for the Veekuhane Cultural Museum which is currently ongoing.
A visibly elated Kgosi Sinvula shared that plans are at an advanced stage to have the museum officially opened in September during the celebration of the Veekuhane annual Cisiya Nkulu cultural festival in Kavimba.
The museum will serve as a launching pad for cultural education – to the younger Veekuhane generations in both Botswana and Namibia where the tribe is found, as well as at a national level. Tourists will be among the biggest clients of the museum – this is as Kavimba lies on a transit road for self-drive tourists between the renowned Moremi Game Reserve and the Chobe National Park. Chobe as a tourism destination of note, attracts hundreds of thousands in tourist arrivals, who with arrangements with their hosts, like Chobe Game Lodge can visit the museum to learn the Veekuhane Culture.
