The establishment of the Nkashi Knowledge Centre in Beetsha village is expected to uplift the livelihoods of the communities in the eastern Okavango Panhandle through the creation of employment opportunities and knowledge transfer.
Nkashi Knowledge Centre is a dynamic community hub dedicated to cross-generational learning, conservation leadership, sustainable livelihood development, and the preservation and celebration of traditional knowledge in Botswana’s Okavango Delta.
The Centre was established by Nkashi Trust (formerly Botswana Wild Bird Trust) under the National Geographic Okavango Wilderness Project (NGOWP) and supported by the Okavango Eternal Partnership between DeBeers and National Geographic.
Officially launching the centre this week, minister of local government and traditional Affairs Ketlhalefile Motshegwa said that the centre would be handy in terms of creating employment opportunities for communities in the eastern Okavango Panhandle as it consists of educators, aspiring entrepreneurs and artists who would then be able to survive out of their trade.
Motshegwa noted that without the assistance of the private sector and other stakeholders, the government cannot fulfil all the developmental agenda, adding that Nkashi Trust is a testimony to the community and private sector fusion in terms of its corporation to deliver the Knowledge Centre in Beetsha village which is underdeveloped. He said that beyond the Corporate Social Responsibility, it is vital for the private sector to partake in the social economic development of this country.
Motshegwa has further stated that there is need for the government, private sector and NGOs to augment efforts in fighting the triple prices of unemployment, poverty, inequality because the government is obligated to ensure that there is prosperity for all.
“We need to support Beetsha village and other villages in this region in terms of infrastructure and other related development so that we create an environment that would allow for investors and entrepreneurs to come here,” he said.
National Geographic Society Chief Science and Innovation Officer, Ian Miller said that the centre stands as a symbol of an achievement between the private sector, communities, NGOs, and government. Their hope, he said is that the centre would open doors in ways that continue to elevate the Beetsha community, to build upon skills and reinvest them to become the next conservation leaders, educators, storytellers and mentors.
He commended Nkashi Trust team for their local leadership, and the De Beers Group for supporting not one, but two Nkashi Knowledge Centres.
For his part, National Geographic Okavango Wilderness | Nkashi Trust Founder and Project Leader, Steve Boyes highlighted that the centre is a place to come together and establish small businesses, train, build capacity and create a merged community for a better future. He stressed their commitment to continue creating sustainable livelihoods for the communities living in the Okavango Delta.
In his remarks, Kgosi Bonang Karundu of Beetsha village said that the centre has provided different skills for residents of Gudigwa to Seronga. He noted that the centre would play a significant role in the development of communities as it does not only benefit Beetsha residents but the whole region.
In an interview, one of the residents of Beetsha village Keitiretse Lesheto appreciated that the centre would create employment opportunities for the residents of the village including the youth and mould their future as they acquire different skills from educators.
