Okavango development and its abject poverty
Correspondent | Thursday February 2, 2017 14:56
The visibility of this matter is everywhere due to lack of developments since 1966. In 50 years of Independence this region has not seen the dawn of independence as other regions (by the way, why rich regions of Botswana are now poorer than those we knew were poor??)
Okavango, Ngami and Chobe to mention a few, they are now poor and getting poorer year after year why? I remember one of Mmegi Newspaper staffer once had this to say; - “even from the skies, Okavango’s poverty is clear.” by Boniface Keabetswe – Mmegi 11/09/15.
This is true because when you visit Government offices and look at Botswana map, Okavango is painted in red colour, with this, I am not surprised because when Gumare was declared Okavango Sub-district, people of Shakawe questioned the decision.
The answer was, Shakawe and surrounding areas are being frequented by South African and Angolan armies in pursuit of freedom fighters by then, because of its proximity. Since then to date nothing is moving. I am sure these armies and fighters are still there visible and active.
Bagaetsho!! Okavango region has received promises after promises which are unfulfilled. i.e.
Shakawe Primary Hospital
Shakawe as a Sub-district
Mohembo Bridge and Mohembo – Gudigwa road which are not certain yet.
Sehitwa- Mohembo border road – built by Rural roads not yet reconstructed to better standard, I think this road is international.
With current status, most of the Botswana regions, especially Central and South Southern regions you see Poverty Eradication, ESP projects Presidential houses mushrooming everywhere, while in Okavango they are nowhere visible as expected to address the situation.
The region is in red zone since frequent outbreaks of diseases like cattle lung diseases and Foot and Mouth, there is no market for livestock, no crop harvest due to elephant damage. There is fear if not threat due to BCL mine liquidation, anticipating most development projects funds would be withdrawn/ be differed due to the above problem as usual.
Another discouraging issue being possibility of Okavango constituency going back to BCP opposition party and (this is obvious) we are certain and know it would. One may ask why this is happening? Is it because the region lacks visionary leadership or Botswana Government has a hidden agenda? Something funny or surprising is cabinet Ministers are nowhere to be seen frequenting the region as they frequent other regions pushing for projects accomplishment. People of this region are poor especially youth due to their parents who 95+% not working or have businesses.
A Ministry like of Defence and Justice would advertise posts either in BDF, Police or Prisons, expectation that these youngsters would travel as far as Gaborone. Where do they get travelling funds to attend these interviews without money. Most of those willing and qualifying fail to attend. I wish the Minister concerned should visit the region, whereby they might come up with better decisions to ease the situation e.g. of renovating Shakawe BDF camp and request for completion of the hospital in Shakawe for recruitment and screening.
Minister of Local Government and Rural Development and his assistant ministers are nowhere to be seen to mention few. Botswana Television cameras and its investigative lenses, news coverage are random unlike in other parts of Botswana where programmes or events are repeated every now and then.
Powerful bodies like of Ntlo ya Dikgosi as our traditional leaders and fraternal media never visit this area specifically for this issue since they heard about it. We want to hear their voices, safari operators in Botswana and South Africa, hospitality (HATAB) – church fraternal, Hindu, Muslims, Sikh, Buddhist etc. ( spiritual leaders) are nowhere to be seen . What is their contribution? Does it mean this country has no sympathisers? It seems for all the above mentioned few, their interests are along the railway line and surrounding sub-urban and urban areas where their businesses are located. I will suggest and invite B.O.M.U to stage “Poverty Eradication Concerts” as we once experienced with world ‘Hunger Concerts” specifically for this region on yearly basis not forgetting BDF, Police and Prison bands, Lady Khama charitable Organisation, NGOs and others as well.
Honourable Minister of Youth, Sport and Culture, we want to see you there as Dj like you always do at Mokolodi raising funds for these suffering people. We also want these suffering people to be trained in life skills- thus handiwork, crafts in order to create employment and empower themselves. We do not want “Talk shows” but action.
Out of interest, I once attended a meeting of a certain society called Shakawe Region Development Support Society (SRDSS). The society is meant for the entire Okavango region. In that meeting I happened to see their proposals for short and long-term projects.
This society seems to be powerful with good brilliant dynamic ideas and intentions, but their bottleneck being thin on the ground. They suggested to visit all Okavango villages and schools along Okavango River to make them have community and schools plantations projects i.e. Banana, Mango, Papaya (paw paw), avocado and lemon production on commercial basis with land not less than 60ha if not 100ha in each village in order to create a massive employment creation. Ministry of Agriculture where are you? Find the whereabouts of this important society that I believe is still active and live. Poverty Eradication office where are you? Play your role as well as assisting in land allocation and water rights either surface or borehole, by taking up the mobilisation, consultations, planning and implementation role.
The region has potential to supply our country and export these commodities.
Gabbert Kaesara