27 Oct 2024

Batswana who harbour ambitions to operate wildlife concessions in the Okavango delta, which is the heart of tourism in Botswana should brace themselves for the good times ahead as the government has resolved to ensure locals also get a share of the prime land.

President Dr Mokgweetsi Masisi stated during a kgotla meeting in Maun on Friday that the resolution would put to an end the situation whereby Batswana wishing to venture into tourism had been relegated to mere spectators of the money-spinning business.

He blamed the automatic right of renewal piece of law and the clause that make it compulsory to give first priority to current lease holders, majority of whom were non-Batswana, as a hindrance to have Batswana venture into concessions in full throttle.

To this end, Dr Masisi said his government had devised ways to circumvent the situation and was hopeful that over 45 Batswana would be able to get concessions at the end of the leases of some of the concessions in the near future.

“Luckily only four concessions namely NG 42, NG 7, NG 12 and NG 27 zone A do not have such stringent clauses and will be issued to Batswana,” he said asserting that he had no business interest or shares in the delta.

He regretted that other concessions remained out of bounds for Batswana as they had tough pieces of legislations attached to them.

President Masisi also encouraged Batswana to seriously consider the spirit of giving,which he said would help bridge the gap between the rich and the poor as per the aspirations of Vision 2036.

On other issues, Dr Masisi cleared the air concerning rumours doing the rounds that he owns a farm at Banyana Farms.

He acknowledged that it was true he had leased one of the 26 farms that forms part of Banyana which he acquired just like any budding farmer and that there was no underhand tactics involved in the leasing of the farm.

“Ke tsentse ikopelo ya polase jaaka ke le Motswana, ka kanokiwa ka pasa. Ke ne ke ikopetse polase e e fa gare e bile ke e tlhabolotse ke tswa go e adimela madi. E nngwefela. Ga se yame ke e hirisitse,” he said denouncing falsewoods surrounding the ownership of the farm in question.

President Masisi said Batswana should rest assured that he would not violate the law of the land at any given point as no one was above the law.

On elections, Dr Masisi urged Batswana to go to elections and cast their vote freely. 

He called on the nation to shun individuals who would want to bring disrepute to the electioneering process.

He said the Electoral Act remained the only legal instrument that guided officials on the conduct of elections up until the announcement of the results.

He issued a stern warning against any elements that threatened the peaceful conduct of the October 30 elections as that would be gross violation of the Electoral Act.

“Police have been given instructions to make sure that all and sundry abide by the law to the letter, including members of the ruling party,” he said

Any protest, he said, should be done accordingly including seeking redress from the courts of law. Ends