02 Dec 2024

The Minister of Lands and Agriculture, Dr Micus Chimbombi, has commended Tati Company Limited for the seamless transfer of 45 000 hectares of land to the Botswana government, deeming it a historic moment for the nation.

During a ceremony held in Francistown on Monday, Minister Chimbombi accepted the title deeds for the land, which was acquired through a willing-buyer, willing-seller agreement.

He emphasised that the land would serve multiple purposes, including facilitating the expansion of Francistown’s Central Business District (CBD).

In his address, Dr Chimbombi outlined the government’s approach to land distribution, stating that consultations with the 47 villages in the North East district would be essential, with government officials conducting kgotla meetings to engage the community.

“This acquisition represents a significant turning point for Botswana,” he said, expressing gratitude to Batswana for their patience throughout the lengthy negotiation process and acknowledging the company’s longstanding tenure over the land.

Members of Parliament supported the acquisition, highlighting its potential to mitigate land shortages and underscoring its importance as a national resource for all Batswana.

Francistown South MP, Mr Wynter Mmolotsi, urged the Tati Land Board to ensure fair and transparent allocation of the land, emphasising the urgency of finalising processes.

Mr Mmolotsi also pointed out that the land could promote tourism development along the Tati River, drawing parallels to the value of diamonds in terms of national resource distribution.

Tati West MP, Justin Hunyepa, called for a comprehensive audit to guarantee the thorough transfer of all land holdings from Tati Company Limited to the government, while Thabologo Furniture, MP for Tati East, noted that this acquisition could alleviate long-standing land scarcity issues in the North East District.

Providing historical context, Tati Company General Manager, Mr Ogaisitse Khama, recounted how the Glazer family of South Africa acquired Tati Company through a hostile takeover on the London Stock Exchange prior to Botswana’s independence.

“The acquisition faced strong resistance from its colonial owners, but ultimately, the Glazer family prevailed,” he stated.

Mr Khama highlighted that the family donated and sold approximately 75 per cent of the company’s land to the government at a nominal value, benefiting Batswana who were unable to purchase land.

This donation amounted to approximately 350 000 acres, a historic and unprecedented gesture.

He added that the land recently transferred to the government represented the final portion remaining, totaling approximately 110 000 acres, and includes areas designated for agricultural, commercial, residential, and industrial purposes.

“This initiative aligns with the government’s vision to invest in Francistown, expanding the CBD southwards as seen in Gaborone,” Mr Khama noted.

He envisioned the development of a metropolitan area that would unite northern and southern Botswana in a prosperous collaboration. Ends