Diamond Trust Injects P14.9m On Tsodilo

Thalefang Charles | Monday October 30, 2017 15:26

Debswana Managing Drector Balisi Bonyongo, De Beers Resident Director, Neo Moroka, President Ian Khama and minister, Tshekedi Khama at the official opening of Tsodilo Rhino Trail staircase PIC: THALEFANG CHARLES-1

Moroka, who is also a Debswana Board member, said the Tsodilo Hills World Heritage Site Integrated Management Plan project is the first and only project that the Diamond Trust has undertaken since it was set up in 2007.

“We believe that although the people of Tsodilo are far from places where the diamonds are mined, they too have a right to feel the positive impact of the diamonds,” said Moroka.

He said they have worked with the people of Tsodilo to create sustainable livelihoods through the development of cultural tourism opportunities.

The first phase of the project saw the Diamond Trust setting up infrastructure in the village including boreholes for the community and a campsite for tourists. Moroka said they worked with the Tsodilo Community Development Trust and assisted them with a gate-house into the Tsodilo Hills, a curio shop for the community to sell their crafts as well as staff accommodation and capacity building for the Tsodilo youth to ensure their readiness for the envisaged lodges to be set up in the area.

The Rhino Trail staircase is part of the second phase of the project, which took a period of three years and is due to end in April 2018. The staircase is designed to provide easy access to one of the popular trails of the Tsodilo female hill. The Diamond Trust investment is already yielding results as the Tsodilo Community Development Trust is now averaging P260,000 per annum from gate-takings and camping fees. In 2015 the Diamond Trust received the African World Heritage Fund award in recognition of its dedication and exemplary contribution to the conservation and management of the Tsodilo World Heritage Site.

Also speaking at the event, the Minister of Environment, Natural Resources Conservation and Tourism, Tshekedi Khama applauded the Diamond Trust for promoting cultural tourism in Botswana. He said currently the statistics shows that 42% of tourism is cultural and therefore it is imperative that it continues to be developed.

President Khama led the dignitaries through part of the Rhino Trail to unveil the placard to mark the official opening of the staircase.