Mmegi

Can the citrus project catalyse Phikwe’s economic revival?

Boxes ticked: The Phikwe Citrus Project answers Masisi’s drive for a knowledge-based, export-led economy and mindset change PIC: SPEDU
Boxes ticked: The Phikwe Citrus Project answers Masisi’s drive for a knowledge-based, export-led economy and mindset change PIC: SPEDU

FRANCISTOWN: Until October 2016, Selebi-Phikwe was a town known for its strong reliance on mining activities at BCL Mine.

BCL went into liquidation on October 9, 2016, a development that threw over 5,000 people on the streets and brought the town’s economy to its knees. Eight years later, the town seems to be on a path towards economic recovery and prosperity. Anchoring this economic revival is the newly launched Selebi Phikwe Citrus (SPC) project.

SPC marked its official harvest last week and has a projected yield of approximately 9,000 tonnes of citrus fruits this year, including lemons, grapes, and oranges. Production is expected to grow annually as the trees gain maturity.

Editor's Comment
Exercise extra caution!

Unfortunately, petty thieves tend to be more vicious around this time as they also prepare for the festive season. Culturally, many Batswana go home for the holiday, and petty thieves are amongst those who go home. Burglaries, car break-ins, and attacks on unsuspecting pedestrians seem to be on the rise!That is not all, as scammers continue to take money from pensioners as well as other Batswana who may fall prey to their unscrupulous tactics....

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