Empowering Batswana through tourism
Thalefang Charles | Monday May 23, 2022 04:45
The book, which tells the story of Desert & Delta Safaris, aims to celebrate the people behind the organisation and was written by Mana Meadows.
At an event held at Sedie Hotel in Maun, the marketing team led by James Wilson and Andrew Flatt took turns to celebrate the living and departed legends that have left a mark on the journey of the company.
Desert & Delta Safaris was established in 1980 by an American called Jesse Neil. It is said that she had fallen in love with the Okavango Delta through her previous trips and decided to set up Camp Okavango as one of the first permanent safari camps and later Camp Moremi. But the company only came under its present management in 1992, when Chobe Holdings – owned by Jonathan Gibson and his childhood friend, Ian Green – purchased it from Neil.
Gibson and Green then added Chobe Game Lodge to the Desert & Delta Safaris brand and transformed the company with a vision of what it is today.
In the 1980s Gibson had real fears that if Batswana could not benefit sustainably from wildlife, they would inevitably lobby politicians to allow wildlife areas to be turned into livestock areas. He also believed in the sustainability of photographic tourism (non-consumptive) as compared to hunting.
“If the non-consumptives could gain a material foothold in the country, it would provide space for citizens to strike out in the industry on their own, thus providing a further voice for preservation and protection of our wildlife resources from our very own electorate,” argued Gibson.
As the Chief Executive Officer Gibson believed that citizens should be given the opportunity to play their part in the management and ultimately ownership of not only Desert & Desert Safaris, but in companies across the tourism industry.
It is that people-focussed mindset that made Desert & Delta Safaris be mostly about people empowerment. So as part of their 40 years, the company put together a tribute to its people sharing the success of Gibson’s vision of how he built the community of Desert & Delta Safaris.
The book pays homage to stalwart guides like John Kata, who was there in 1980 when their first property, Camp Okavango was established. Albert Ndereki, Back of House Manager at Chobe Game Lodge, who was part of the construction workers of the lodge in 1971 is also among the legends recognised.
The publication also shares memories and stories from the pioneers including Derek Flatt, who was the Managing Director until 2016 and Mosiako Bashe, who is the communications and operations head.
In Chapter Four, the book shares their CARES philosophy, which is aimed at committing to developing the potential of Batswana while also preserving the country’s natural heritage. The CARES acronym comes from Career and Community, Advanced Health Programme, Responsibility to our Environment, Equality in the workplace, Soul and Spirituality.
Chapter Five is on local career development, which the company believes is the primary factor of ‘responsible tourism’. The chapter covers very inspiring stories of their staff’s movement up their corporate ladder. It includes the amazing story of Lemphemetse ‘MC’ Odumetse’s career path who has moved from being a waiter to the group managing director.
There are also charming stories of female development including that of the world-famous all-female guide team at Chobe Game Lodge.
Chapter Seven highlight’s the company’s measures in preserving the environment. This chapter covers their pioneering electric vehicles and boats used at Chobe as well as their ongoing environmental education. The chapter demonstrates why the multi-award-winning Chobe Game Lodge is regarded as a continental leader in ecotourism.
The book closes with hope for the future, as Chapter Eight hints at their strategy post-COVID-19 and the strategy behind the acquisition of Nxamaseri Island Lodge and Sedie Riverside Hotel. The group intends to turn both lodges into cultural bases, with Nxamaseri focussing on Tsodilo and Sedie on Maun.
Desert & Delta Safaris has nine properties namely Chobe Game Lodge, Savute Safari Lodge, Chobe Savanna Lodge, Leroo La Tau, Camp Okavango, Xugana Island Lodge, Nxamaseri Island Lodge, Camp Moremi, and Camp Xakanaka.
The book features beautiful images by James Gifford, Stuart Parker, James Wilson, Walter Smith, and Joshua Tough.