- Concerned group vows to disrupt the event
‘Tapyowa NG32 Experience,’ an annual event meant to promote local tourism and celebrate the culture of five villages served by Okavango Kopano Mokoro Community Trust (OKMCT) has experienced a sudden clash of perspectives and opinions among the beneficiary community.
The bone of contention which has divided the residents is whether the event brings tangible benefits to the community or not.
Launched in 2023 by OKMCT, the initiative which features fascinating traditional dugout canoe/mokoro races and an extravaganza of a cultural showcase aims to promote both sports and cultural tourism. The local tourism product also targets tourists who want to experience the beauty of the famous Okavango Delta using the same mode of transport, that is now utilised for game viewing safaris.
In a dramatic turn of events, Tapyowa is scheduled to return for its 3rd edition in Xaxaba village this coming weekend but this time around under uncertain circumstances. This as there is a standoff between OKCMT board and a section of the community, identifying themselves as a concerned group, with the former maintaining that the event should proceed as planned while the latter want it to be cancelled.
The concerned group has even threatened to disrupt the event should the board forge ahead this coming Saturday.
“We will see how we can stop the event because people we are representing are not happy about it at all. We are trying to ensure that they do not act in a wayward way to stop the event, but we will be going there to disrupt,” said Tlotlo Baganaletso-deputy chairperson of the group.
This impasse prompted the intervention of North West District Commissioner, Thabang Waloka, and Batawana Paramount Chief, Kgosi Kgolo Tawana Moremi who convened a special meeting this week in an effort to mediate and map a way forward.
During the meeting, the concerned group raised concerns about the misuse of OKMCT financials by the board which they complained does not follow budget procedures.
They questioned how come this year’s event got to be allocated funds though the Annual General Meeting (AGM) which approves the budget was not held.
The group maintains that the funds meant for the event should instead be directed towards pressing community needs such as improving the provision of water in the five villages of Boro, Xharaxao, Xuoxao, Daunara, and Xaxaba.
While acknowledging that an AGM was not convened this year owing to ongoing infights, OKCMT General Manager, Seikaneng Moepedi however clarified that the event is mainly made possible by donations gathered from companies operating in their concession and others, with a nominal amount coming from the trust coffers.
Moepedi indicated that the budget for the annual event seat at P1 million while OKMCT has committed to contribute less than half of that amount with the rest gathered from donations. He revealed that the confirmed contributions for this year’s festival so far amount to over P500 000, which leaves OKMCT to contribute additional funds of less than half a million Pula.
Meanwhile Waloka noted that even as the arbitrator he cannot make a decision as to whether the event should proceed or not. He however advised that if Tapyowa has secured sponsors and does not depend heavily on the trust’s funds, then it should proceed, but said if the situation is on the contrary – then it should be halted and the funds be directed to other pressing community needs.
Waloka has however noted that if planned accordingly, the event can generate income and subsequently improve the livelihoods of communities in NG32 while also having the potential to diversify the country’s tourism product. “We should also understand that the event has attracted the nation at large as witnessed in the past editions. So, we should not make a mistake about the event which people and sponsors like so much. It should be designed in a way that it makes profit to the benefit of OKMCT members.”
