Opportunities galore for Phikwe revitalization
Onalenna Kelebeile | Friday June 9, 2017 16:22
There are a lot of economic entities that could be pursued to revitalise the local economy and some of the activities have long been identified and were to be developed. A number of tourism development initiatives exist in Selebi-Phikwe region most of which involve the community. The region is fairly rich with resources that can be exploited for tourism. These include scenery, wildlife and natural areas and existing dams.
Dikgatlhong and Letsibogo dams are ideal sites for tourism activities mainly centering around water sports and water recreational activities. Spin-offs here would include development of a major hospitality resort and gambling facilities. According to past studies that were supported by the European Union, (EU) the tourism support infrastructure within the region is generally good and supportive of tourism.
According to a report that was recently presented to the business community in Selebi-Phikwe by Business Botswana, most of tourism development initiatives that exist within the region are still in the early stages of development and are faced with a lot of constraints. Such constraints include lack of planning, coordination, funding and private sector partnerships.
Regional tourism products have been clustered as Letsibogo dam, Selebi-Phikwe, Tswapong Hills and Dikgatlhong dam clusters. However some barriers facing implementation of tourism and recreation development include lack of administrative boundary, limited mandates, insufficient basic infrastructure as well as financial and economic constraints.
“With the closure of BCL some of these could be explored and implementation expedited,” says the report that was presented by Professor Happy Siphambe. Mmadinare Hills are rich in history and cultural importance. Lepokole Hills in Bobirwa area and other sites have been identified by the National Museum and Monuments as potential areas for cultural tourism.
Studies have also shown that there is a scope for urban agriculture particularly for horticulture. This could be watered from wastewater from the mine. A horticulture study by EU recommended a sorting, washing, packaging and processing plant and a more favourable funding regime for the producers through Citizen Entrepreneurial Development Agency (CEDA).
A number of potentially viable businesses if properly supported could assist in both diversifying Selebi-Phikwe away from dependence on BCL mine and create much needed jobs for the community. Some of these already identified through various studies are factory for hides and skins, piggery and poultry. Professor Siphambe highlighted that some of these businesses are constrained by reasonably priced land, availability of utility, availability of processing plants and market for the products at reasonable transport costs.
“Some of these can be accommodated in the factory shells previously occupied closed businesses that were supported by FAP,” he noted. Selebi-Phikwe is also strategically located in the region and with further infrastructural development it can develop to be centre of the region. Some of these potential infrastructural developments include the airstrip, factory shells, dry port, water, health facilities and good schools. “Another potential infrastructural development is the planned railway line to Mozambique whose centre is Selebi-Phikwe,” cited the report.
Small business in the informal sector is properly supported could be a viable source of economic diversification and employment creation for the town. However small businesses would thrive more with a Selebi-Phikwe that has a greater employment as was the case with BCL.
There are indications that there were 532 informal traders located in different places in 2011. There are also 5,560 hawkers certificate holders who are located all over the town such as Botshabelo, Ikageleng, Western Area, Phase 1 and 2 and also in Leseding. Certificate holders are allowed to roam and sell around town and to trade with different classes of goods.
While the general picture is that of decline and uncertainty in the business environment there is a positive side to the closure of BCL as some have seen opportunities to start up new business. Some businesses especially those assisting in registration of new companies have picked up good business as they are meeting increased demand for their services from ex-employees of BCL mine. Applications for trading licences especially for SMMEs have also increased.
“This indicates that there are people who are finding possible business opportunities after the mine closure and if well supported could help revive Selebi-Phikwe,” reads the report. There is also an opportunity for wildlife conservation, as land formerly belonging to BCL along Motloutse river is vast and include fully developed BCL retreat site.
“The proposal is that this area could be developed into a wildlife conservation area of the likes of Mokolodi and Khama Rhino Sanctuary. BCL non-operational site could be developed into a museum integrated with a fun park,” stated Siphambe in the report. Talana Farms and the Tuli Block area offer an opportunity and a model of how the area could be developed.
High productivity in Tuli Block is good for Selebi-Phikwe because this is the place where beneficiation can take place. Significant number of industries also exists in Selebi-Phikwe and were born out of the opportunity provided by BCL mine. These industries had established very good relationships with BCL and considered BCL as a key customer who should not be disappointed.
However the companies did not make enough effort to establish similar relations with other heavy industry clients like Debswana. After the mine closure the companies began to aggressively pursue opportunities for obtaining contacts with these major heavy steel and chemical consumers.
“Unfortunately, entering these markets can be a struggle hence some major consumers continue to get orders from South Africa. We propose that procurement of locally produced goods be applied as per the government’s directive.
Given that the town was known for its smokes from the mine the fact that there is now fresh air can be an opportunity to sell the town from a transformational angle and attract investment from the perspective of green business, solar power plants or manufacturing of solar panels and biofuel projects for rehabilitation of previously degraded land mass.