�Mantshwabisi� discloses no figures
Bame Piet | Friday March 28, 2014 15:17
BTO public relations and marketing manager, Keitumetse Setlang declined to shed any information. However, she indicated that they have the figures, which she has not yet disclosed despite a written request.
In its annual report, a critical stakeholder in the race – BTO – has failed to account for how the race has benefitted the country’s economy in the 2012/2013 year. BTO only states that the race has been accredited to another race that is a feeder to the Dakar Rally.
“Of significance has been accreditation of the event as one of the four feeder races to the Dakar Rally, the other races in that category are held in China, Australia and Egypt.
The race, which has been running for 33 years, is held in winter every year.
“The race continues to benefit the people of Botswana in quite a number of ways, including direct income that accrues to local communities’ developmental initiatives and increased sales in businesses in the vicinity of Kumakwane and surrounding areas during the weekend of the race”.
Other races are:
The Kalahari Challenge
The Kalahari Challenge is an annual bicycle challenge starting and finishing at Gaborone Rugby Club, that covers some scenic parts of the Southern region including Mokolodi Nature Reserve, Fikeng Valley in Manyana and Ranaka Valley.
“The event has seen an increase in interest and participation in the past four years; the race recorded a total of 191 participants in 2009, and 313 in 2012, of which 128 were from Botswana, 169 South Africans, 14 Namibians and two Zimbabweans,” says the report.
Tour de Tuli Cycle Challenge
This annual event takes place in the Tuli region with the Limpopo Valley Airfield serving as the start-off point. The event sees cyclists take on a challenging distance of approximately 300km, (with approximately 60-80km of hard cycling per day) and traversing the majestic landscapes of three different African countries: Botswana, Zimbabwe and South Africa and three National Parks: NorthernTuli Game Reserve (Start Point), Tuli Safari Area and Mapungubwe National Park (End Point).
“This year featured over 500 cyclists from all over the world. The Tour de Tuli is an event that seeks to raise funds for Children in the Wilderness, a charity programme run by Wilderness Safaris,” says the report.
“The programme’s objective is to empower and teach children from communities that live in and around their operations on the importance of conservation. Botswana Tourism Organisation (BTO) has been participating in this event for the past five years with a view to creating awareness for the Tuli region. In addition, this event presents Botswana as a true adventure destination, which appeals to adventure seekers in the world of travel”.
The Khawa Dune
Challenge & Cultural Festival
In collaboration with the Ministry of Youth, Sport and Culture (MYSC) and Culture and Botswana Motor Sport (BMS) on August 24-25, 2012 hosted the inaugural Khawa Dune Challenge & Cultural Festival, a family-oriented event involving a Quad and Motor Bike Challenge traversing the Khawa Sand Dunes, a Camel Race, cultural activities showcasing the cultures of the Kgalagadi, as well as fun Camel rides.