Khama holds cabinet meeting inside Gcwihaba Caves
Boniface Keakabetse | Tuesday November 28, 2017 18:00
Masisi said this during the launch of the staircase to allow tourists easy access the caves on Saturday. While the organisers of the event, the Botswana Tourism Organisation (BTO) had planned to spring a surprise on Khama by making his entire Cabinet wait inside the caves so that he could only see the contingent on arrival, it seemed the President had already been tipped.
One of the ministers could be heard inside saying, “they think by making us wait here they will surprise HE (His Excellency). He already knows we are here. He asked me yesterday if I was coming and I could not lie to him, so I said yes”.
In fact, Khama did not appear surprised about his entire Cabinet wait in the belly of the caves. Instead, he seemed more enthusiastic to share his knowledge. The President spoke passionately at length, using caving jargon, detailing Gcwihaba history and its developments.
Afterwards, Masisi stated that the caves globally have significance in the humans’ evolutionary history. “We are happy that today Cabinet holds its meeting in the cave,” Masisi said.
The VP then declared that government will allow Khama access to Gcwihaba so that he can oversee the caves’ exploration and its development as a tourism site.
Access into the caves for members of the public is controlled. For more than 16 years, Khama has been involved with the Gcwihaba Caves exploration project with local and international experts. The project involves searching for new caves and digging corridors to connect the caverns.
Masisi said Khama’s enthusiasm with the project underscored his resolve for the development of arts and tourism in Botswana. He said as government they will continue to promote Khama’s legacy. Masisi further commended the adjacent Xaixai community for protecting the caves, which would eventually have an impact on Botswana economy.
About the project, President Khama underlined that efforts have borne fruit as new and pristine caverns have been discovered while search for new ones is continuing. He said he would have interest in the caves development after stepping down as the President. He explained that his affection with caves started as a hobby, which eventually grew into something substantial.
A South African professional caver, Roger Ellies said Gcwihaba are a rare array of caves in the world with a potential to be marketed as a unique caving tourism product.
Ellies said caverns in the area include Gcwihaba Caves located underneath the Gcwihaba Hills, the adjacent !Wa Doum Cave, the Mongongo Cave, Bone Cave, Diviners Cave and Blue Cave which are situated under the Koanaka Hills.
Over the years, steps taken by government included protecting Gcwihaba as a national monument in 2006, therefore protected by the Monuments and Relics Act of 2001, formation of Gcwihaba Management Plan in 2002, establishment of an out-station at Gcwihaba in 2005 currently staffed by seven people.
According to sources, government plans to list Gcwihaba as the UNESCO World Heritage Site after successfully doing so with the Tsodilo Hills and Okavango Delta. On an unrelated but topical issue, Masisi showered his boss with praises for speaking out against abuse of power in Zimbabwe during the reign of the fallen former President, Robert Mugabe.
“We will grow your vision even after you are gone,” the VP told the about to retire President.