Many years ago, I completed a PhD in Parks, Recreation and Tourism Sciences at Texas A&M University, USA. One of the things I learnt was that rivers are a public resource and access and enjoyment of the public to these rivers should not be denied. The Thamalakane River is one of Maun’s greatest natural treasures.
It is the lifeblood of the village, a gateway to the Okavango Delta, and a source of beauty that attracts both residents and visitors from around the world. Yet, despite its importance, access to the river has gradually been taken away from the public. This is wrong, and it is time for the situation to be corrected. Across the world, rivers are treated as public assets that belong to everyone. Cities and towns deliberately protect riverbanks so that people can enjoy nature through walking trails, cycling paths, picnic areas, parks, fishing spots, boating facilities, and open recreational spaces.
Riverfronts become places where families gather, children play, tourists explore, and local businesses flourish. They improve the quality of life while also promoting tourism, environmental conservation, and healthy lifestyles.
Unfortunately, this is not the reality along much of the Thamalakane River in Maun. Over the years, residential and commercial plots have been allocated so close to the river that public access has effectively been blocked. In many places, private developments extend right to the river’s edge, leaving little or no room for the North West District Council or other authorities to establish public walkways, bicycle lanes, hiking trails, viewing decks, picnic areas, or riverfront parks.
What should have been a shared public resource has become an exclusive privilege enjoyed by only a few property owners. This pattern of development represents poor long-term planning. While private investment is important, it should never come at the expense of public access to a valuable natural resource. Rivers are not merely scenic backdrops for private homes; they are ecological, cultural, and economic assets that should serve the interests of the entire community.
The consequences are significant. Residents are denied opportunities for outdoor recreation and exercise. Visitors miss the chance to experience the beauty of the Thamalakane River from accessible public spaces. Local entrepreneurs lose opportunities to develop responsible tourism activities such as guided walks, canoeing, cycling, birdwatching, riverside cafés, and cultural events. Ultimately, Maun loses an opportunity to strengthen its reputation as Botswana’s tourism capital.
There is still time to change course. Future developments along the Thamalakane River should incorporate mandatory public access corridors and generous setbacks from the riverbank. Where possible, authorities should explore opportunities to reclaim or acquire strategic sections of the riverfront for public use. Comprehensive riverfront planning should create continuous pedestrian walkways, cycling paths, parks, viewing platforms, and recreational facilities while protecting the river’s fragile ecosystem. Such investments would benefit current and future generations while enhancing tourism and increasing the overall attractiveness of Maun.
The Thamalakane River does not belong to a handful of property owners. It belongs to every resident of Maun, every Motswana, and every visitor who comes to appreciate its beauty. Development should never deny communities access to their own natural heritage. It is wrong that so much of this magnificent river has become inaccessible to the public. The time has come for policymakers, planners, and the community to work together to restore the principle that rivers are for everyone. That is not only good planning—it is the right thing to do.
