Nestled in the heart of Botswana’s rich and diverse natural habitat and between arguably two of the country’s foremost economic hubs in agriculture-led Ghanzi and tourism-centered Maun, Sehithwa is destined to become a major tourist and investment destination in the foreseeable future.
The village leadership, led by Kgosi Keokeditswe Dithapo presents Sehithwa as an emerging destination for investment, tourism and culture development.
Kgosi Dithapo believes the Sehithwa community collectively seek to chart the course “of our journey together to transform Sehithwa to become a leading destination in tourism and investment opportunities.”
He enthuses a journey of shared vision, shared commitments and a shared sense of community.
In the midst of contemporary challenges in the area, Kgosi Dithapo has challenged the community to invariably move to collectively address deep and difficult issues of unemployment and underdevelopment with a view to coming up with solutions to propel the Sehithwa community to economic and social transformation.
As Kgosi Dithapo and the community reflect on the future of Sehithwa, a place rich in natural resources and cultural heritage, the leadership recognizes the significance of collaboration, innovation and sustainability.
Repositioning Sehithwa as an economic hub for eco-tourism, agriculture and green energy can generate employment opportunities, stimulate local economy and preserve our environment, he notes.
Kgosi Dithapo believes community Trusts, if properly run and managed, can play a vital role in revenue generation and driving sustainable development. To this end, he implores the Trusts to establish transparent governance structures and equally invest in capacity building as well as fostering partnerships to ensure that the community benefits from its natural resources.
By leveraging our unique value chains such as basketry, aqua-culture, small stock production and ecotourism, we can generate revenue and propel community development iniiiatives, he adds.
Kgosi Dithapo believes community Trusts, if properly run and managed, can play a vital role in revenue generation and driving sustainable development. To this end, he implores the Trusts to establish transparent governance structures and equally invest in capacity building as well as fostering partnerships to ensure that the community benefits from its natural resources.
Endowed with biodiversity, the Sehithwa community is determined to work together to develop sustainable tourism practices, support local entrepreneurship and innovation, explore market access, linkages and export opportunities, empower youth and women through education and economic opportunities as well as preserve Sehithwa’s cultural heritage and natural environment.
As the Sehithwa community reflects on these immense opportunities and possibilities, Kgosi Dithapo underscores the importance of capacity building and active participation in breeding and livestock management, value-added meat and dairy production, market access and branding, eco-tourism and cultural experiences, community-based tourism initiatives as well as sustainable tourism practices and infrastructure.
In so doing, Kgosi Dithapo is convinced that Sehithwa, which strategically lies between major centers of Maun and Ghanzi is bound to emerge as an engine for economic growth and social upliftment through job creation and income generation, economic diversification and resilience, preservation of traditional skills and culture as well as increased competitiveness and market access.
Kgosi Dithapo says as broader part of their commitment to transform Sehithwa, the community ought to collectively look for partnerships to ensure private sector investments in value chain infrastructure, Non-Governmental Organizations and Community Based Organizations supporting community development, international organizations providing technical assistance and funding as well as leveraging on Government initiatives and policy support.
As he sets out his ambitious transformative plan, the visionary Kgosi Dithapo, a project management expert and a Doctorate candidate, encourages the people of Sehithwa to explore ways to foster community engagement and participation to bring much-needed economic and social transformation in the area.
* The author is governance and sustainability commentator.
