09 May 2022

The construction of the new Kgosi Sechele I museum located at Ntsweng Heritage site and its related infrastructure development has missed the initial deadline for completion with the new completion date postponed to September.

This was revealed during a tour of the project by MP for Molepolole South Kabo Morwaeng on Thursday.

When giving a progress report of the project, Ossy & Sons company project manager, Mmolawa Alfred said the initial completion date for the project was March 2022, but last year’s heavy rains and change in design caused a three- month delay.

Currently, he said the project was 70 per cent complete with no cost overruns.

Department of National Museum and Monuments director, Vasco Baitseseng said Ntsweng Heritage Site project was the first mega museum development project in the country.

Through the project, he said, the department envisaged to show how the heritage sector could diversify the tourism industry.

He also said Dithubaruba Cultural Festival, the brainchild of  Kgosi Sechele I museum, had been a flagship heritage project that had grown in leaps and bounds over the years. 

In an interview after the tour of the facilities, MP Morwaeng said the P50 million project was a clear indication that government was committed to developing communities through such projects which in turn would bring more revenue streams and create the much needed jobs.

He also appreciated the design concept of the project, which incorporated traditional method of building into the design of the new facilities. 

Once complete, he said the heritage site would be a dominant landmark feature boasting a unique design that depicted the uniqueness of the landscape as well as its natural environment.

For his part, Kgosi Kgari III of said the Bakwena leadership had longed for a project of such magnitude, which would be able to offer people fun and leisure activities in Molepolole.

“We had a vision on how we wanted this place developed and government has helped us achieve that,” he said.

He cited that upon completion, the heritage site would be a spectacle to watch, offering an array of leisure activities. 

He, therefore, pleaded with Batswana to support the project once complete, to generate income.

The distinctive design is a new concept in the cultural sphere with multiple buildings spread across the site. 

Some of the key features are the museum building, observatory deck and an amphitheater with a capacity of 2 500 people including a swimming pool as well as a restaurant and a camping site.

The project is built on a piece of land measuring about 65ha. ends