“This is a major NBC programme and for us to feature on it among five countries in the world and being number one is a major achievement,” he said.
The NBC’s show which depicted the wildlife and wilderness in the northern parts of the country—within the Okavango, Makgadikgadi Salt Pan and the bushman paintings in Tsodilo Hills — was splashed live into the homes of eight million Americans- ahead of Valentine’s day.
Pictures of Botswana’s elephants, giraffes, leopards and other members of the big five family and baboons were screened live on NBC.
The move has spurred a number of American televisions and newspapers to do a follow-up. Fox television has been in the country since early last month.
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We hope that this is very good for everybody and it is a good and honest story for tourism,” the incoming Debswana corporate communications’ head, Kabelo Binns said.
The pictures shown by NBC came at a time when Debswana is due to present its final presentation on the proposed construction of a luxurious hotel in Kasane to its board next week.
“This is a build–up to that (the construction of a hotel in Kasane), but it was not specially designed for that.
“However, we are going to present the final proposal to the board next week for final approval and we have somewhat identified a partner,” Nchindo added.
The NBC show is built around the diamonds for development campaign which started in 2000 in a bid to deflect a rush of negative publicity on the industry which was spear-headed by the London-based NGO Global Witness. Despite the campaign top US and European officials have visited Botswana on fact-finding missions and left satisfied.
“We have had numerous congressmen coming to Botswana and our president is one of the most well known in the world.
“I think we have to be more proactive or even a bit aggressive with our campaigns given that we have a positive American ambassador,” Nchindo said.
“We have to be proactive in our campaign and if you are reactive behind te footsteps you always find yourself on. We should have a programme explaining why the Basarwa are being re-located,” Nchindo said.
Government has been in talks with Bell Ponttingie – a top British Public Relations firm to head the campaign against SI.
“In many civilised societies you can not say my children can not go to school. You will go to prison for that and why should a British organisation for that matter say that the bushmen should not go to school?” Nchindo asked.
