Phikwe may not benefit from the World Cup

ONALENNA MODIKWA
Staff Writer | Friday November 14, 2008 00:00

 

The recommendations included upgrading the stadium, airstrip and maintenance of roads linking Selebi-Phikwe with South Africa's Limpopo Province. The delegation said the projects should be undertaken by this year, but nothing has happened due to budgetary constraints. The constraints have resulted in some of the projects earmarked for NDP 9 being shifted to NDP 10.

The delegation that went to South Africa recommended that the council should liase with the department of tourism to map out a tourism plan for the region for 2010 and beyond.

The delegation said the council should liase with Botswana Football Association, COSAFA and Trade and Investment Limpopo (BEDIA equivalent), in order to establish the possibilities of establishing a fan park in Selebi-Phikwe as well as to submit a readiness programme to host practice matches, base camps, fan parks and other major events to coincide with the World Cup.

It was recommended that the council investigates ICT infrastructure status in Botswana to support planned developments.

The council was told to liase with BEDIA to incorporate Selebi-Phikwe in the marketing plan for Botswana and to have a 2010 preparatory committee to liase with the Limpopo Province preparations as well as to monitor progress towards achieving the commercial goals associated with the World Cup. The recommendations were approved during a full council meeting of August 30, 2006 on condition that they will be implemented.

Selebi-Phikwe mayor, Amogelang Mojuta, said the council is still looking at how it can benefit from the World Cup. He expressed hope that the town can still benefit from the 2010 World Cup though they are still waiting for the economic diversification office to start operations. 'I believe it is not yet too late. Our plans are developed and determined by the budget and I hope some of the projects will be incorporated in the diversification adventure, but currently we are still trying to figure out how we are going to carryout the diversification drive.'

In 2006 the government engaged CSA Group consultants to conduct a study on the potential for economic diversification of Selebi-Phikwe. The consultants' report has been approved.

The airstrip upgrading planned for the last financial year failed to take-off. The stadium upgrading scheduled for the current financial year has not started.

Mojuta stated that the town can benefit from the World Cup if there are proper sporting facilities and a good road network.

He said that the Selebi-Phikwe/Martins Drift road cannot be constructed by the council alone. 'Benefits from the 2010 are not only for the council to explore but the business community must also look how they can benefit.

I still hope that the council and all key stakeholders involved can do something. The diversification drive is the key to see how the town can benefit and I do not think it will take long for the diversification unit to start operating because most of the Limpopo recommendations are outlined in it.'

Mojuta indicated that the Ministry of Local Government has started prioritising hence the Selebi-Phikwe stadium is among those to be refurbished to international standards.

However, Palalani Moitlhobogi, a local businessperson who was in the delegation that went to South Africa believes that the town has not done anything to convince him that it is prepared to benefit from the 2010 World Cup. He said if the stadium had been refurbished, then other projects could follow, but so far there is no sign that this will happen soon.

'There are no signs that the town is getting ready. The private sector could build accommodation facilities if the stadium is ready.' He blames the delay of implementing the recommendations on the town's political leaders. 'Botswana is very tranquil and its crime rate is nothing compared to South Africa so that could give Selebi-Phikwe an advantage. Government should have faith in the private sector and if things continue like this the town would not benefit from the World Cup,' he said.

Since 2006, councillors have been tabling motions that sought to develop the town to reap benefits from the World Cup given Selebi-Phikwe's proximity to one of the match venues, Polokwane. Selebi-Phikwe is the nearest Botswana town to World Cup hosting venues.