Zutshwa is a small community in the Kgalagadi district, with a population of around 600 people.For the village chief, Abathene Kabatlhophane, the challenges facing Zutshwa extend beyond the absence of permanent jobs. They touch the social fabric of the community, where poverty, alcohol abuse and the neglect of children have become sources of concern.When we visited the village earlier this month, we visited the ‘kgotla go ipega’ as visitors on the village. The chief was excited to meet journalists in his area saying that we will relay their concerns to the relevant people. He said many households were struggling to make ends meet, leaving families with limited means to provide for their children.Located about 30km from Hukuntsi, Zutshwa lacks essential government services, forcing residents to travel to the neighbouring village to access public service.He further cried out that they have tried farming but are failing probably because of the type of soil in their village. Kabatlhophane pleaded for help noting that they need to improve their circumstances.He also highlighted changing lifestyles, noting that hunting had traditionally been an important source of food for families. However, residents now face the need to adapt to alternative ways of sustaining their households, including keeping livestock and poultry.“As part of our culture we are used to hunting to feed our families, but now we cannot do that due to the laws. “This is really a painful situation because we are forced to rear cattle and chickens, but the meat is not even tasty. “We don’t enjoy it compared to the wild animals,” he said.The chief believes the village must begin to explore opportunities that can stimulate economic activity, create employment and improve living standards.For a community seeking a way out of poverty, the future of its children remains one of the most pressing concerns.At the local school, Letswai Primary School, the effects of household hardship are evident in the daily experiences of learners. The school headmistress, Sally Maibinyana, said the institution caters for 152 children from Standard One to Standard Seven, alongside a preschool that enrols children from the age of two.Although the learners are generally disciplined, their academic performance remains low, a situation that raises concerns about the challenges affecting their education.The headmistress said food insecurity was among the most worrying problems, explaining that some children rely on the meals provided at school as their only reliable source of food.She appealed for assistance to sustain the feeding programme, warning that the needs of vulnerable learners extend beyond the classroom.“It is worse that sometimes there are kids who would spare the meal for their little ones. This is heart-breaking because you see that this child is hungry but thinking of their siblings,” Maibinyana said.The headmistress said she often wondered what some children ate over weekends when school feeding was unavailable.The Community Development Officer, Aone Aedige, shared the same sentiments expressing concern about parents who neglected their children, leaving them exposed to hunger and hardship.Her account illustrates how poverty can undermine children's wellbeing and their ability to concentrate on learning. For some learners, the school is not only a place of education but also a source of food and support. Aedige also said there is shortage of teachers as some prospective teachers feel the village is not developed enough for them to live in, which in turn disadvantages children.“There is a lot that needs to be done to make education fashionable in this village because only a handful pass the PSLE exams, but fail to go to the senior school. “Some of these children are bright but need guidance and support from home as well,” she said.The situation highlights the need for coordinated interventions involving government, community organisations and other stakeholders to support vulnerable households and strengthen child welfare.Yet, despite these difficulties, Zutshwa has an economic resource that could help change its fortunes, a salt mine with promise. The Zutshwa Salt Mine, operated by the community through the Qhaa-Qhing Conservation Trust, represents one of the village's most significant opportunities for economic development.The project dates back to 1989, when exploration for water revealed highly saline underground water, leading to the development of salt production. The operation extracts brine from underground boreholes and channels it into ponds, where evaporation allows salt to crystallise before harvesting and processing.The mine produces coarse salt for human consumption and salt blocks for livestock. Its salt has been reported to have a purity level of 99.9%, giving the operation considerable potential to serve domestic markets.However, translating this natural advantage into a sustainable business has proved difficult. The project has faced financial and operational constraints, including inadequate production capacity, equipment challenges and difficulties meeting market demand.A 2024 government report indicated that the mine was producing below its potential despite demand from major customers, including the Botswana Meat Commission and the Botswana Agricultural Marketing Board. A solar power plant connected to the operation in October 2024 was expected to improve its capacity to expand production and use heavier machinery.More recently, the mine has attracted renewed interest in expanding salt production and exploring the potential for soda ash, an industrial mineral used in glass manufacturing and other applications. Such developments could open additional avenues for investment and employment, although their success will depend on financing, infrastructure, technical capacity and commercially viable operations.For Zutshwa, the stakes are high. A commercially sustainable mine could provide more reliable employment, increase household incomes and create opportunities for local businesses. Its benefits could extend to families struggling to afford food and to children whose education is affected by poverty.However, the mine alone cannot resolve every challenge facing the village. Sustainable progress will also require stronger community participation, responsible household management, improved access to essential services and initiatives that encourage residents to diversify their livelihoods.The village chief's call for farming reflects the importance of building resilience beyond a single economic activity. Supporting viable agricultural projects, alongside investment in the mine, could help broaden income opportunities and improve household food security.Ultimately, Zutshwa's future depends on whether its natural resources can be converted into lasting benefits for its people.
