Makgadikgadi Epic cancellation disappoints Nata community
Lesedi Mkhutshwa | Wednesday July 16, 2025 06:38
The Botswana Tourism Board (BTO) announced the cancellation last week, citing logistical challenges. The event was initially scheduled for 18-21 July in Sowa Town.
Nata West Councillor, Thuso Tumelano said the community is unhappy with how the event was handled, particularly given its potential economic benefits. 'The business community and small businesses will suffer from the cancellation,' Tumelano said. He added that attendees would have lodged in local guest houses, hotels and lodges, boosting economic activities.
Tumelano questioned the event's relocation from Nata to Sowa Town, suggesting that concerns about the event's ownership and management were never addressed.
He also raised concerns about alleged misuse of funds, stating that public servants' privileged access may have contributed to the financial crisis. He stated that if funding had been properly done, Makgakgadi Epic would not be facing a financial crisis. 'Over the past years, public servants have had free access to the event and have been offered free food. I once questioned why they are given free food and access to the event, the answer I got was that it was because they have the right and privilege by virtue of their positions. Now Makgadikgadi is facing a financial crisis because of the same privileges,' he added.
Pelican Lodge managing director, Thatayaone Kehitile expressed disappointment, adding that they were hugely affected by the cancellation. He said that they had already planned for the event, just like in previous years. He stated that their lodge had fully booked rooms for the event. 'Our lodge has 42 rooms and they were booked for the 18th and 19th and some bookings overlapped to the 20th. When BTO cancelled the event, people started requesting their refunds. We lost around P120,000 in revenue due to cancellations,' he said.
Kehitile was also disappointed that there was no consultation with the business community prior to the cancellation. He said that had there been consultation, they could have come up with a better solution rather than cancelling the event.
He suggested postponing the event could have been a better solution, given its established clientele.