13 Feb 2015

The Vice President, Mr Mokgweetsi Masisi, says resuscitation of the Zutshwa salt project will transform the economic status of Kgalagadi and turn Zutshwa into an economic power house.

Addressing a kgotla meeting in Zutshwa on February 12, the Vice President emphasised the importance of resuscitating the salt project, saying it would promote community -driven interventions. Mr Masisi said there was need to undertake a detailed feasibility study to determine if the production rates would be economical to resuscitate the Zutshwa salt project.

Such a project, he added would be a milestone since the benefit accrued from it would lead to improved livelihoods of the local community through creation of employment and income generation. Mr Masisi noted that the salt project fell within government poverty eradication drive hence all efforts should be geared towards its sustainability.

He said government had invested P5 million towards the resuscitation of the project hence it was imperative for the community to work round the clock in ensuring the sustainability of the projects and how best it could benefit them. Meanwhile, Qhaa Qhing Community Trust secretary, Ms Kegomoditswe Mokoto said the project ceased operation in 2000.

“After a decade of sustainability under the management of the German missionaries, the project suffered a major blow as it was handed over to Qhaa Qhing community trust to manage it on behalf of the community,” she said. The project collapsed months after it was handed over to the trust.

Lack of business management skills on the part of board members as well as misuse of funds by its overseers were cited as reasons for its collapse. During its heyday, the project created employment through a rotation system for the labourers and a few members of the community where they were given training on the jobs that required some skills.  ENDS