08 Aug 2019

Tsodilo Community Development Trust (TCDT) manager, Nxisae Kiema appreciates the developments achieved through proceeds from the inaugural Tsodilo Hills Heritage challenge.

Already, Kiema said they had received P43 000 from last year’s bush walk challenge.

She said during a media briefing recently that they had utilised the funds to maintain some infrastructure in the community.

This year’s bush walk, which will be held on August 31, was supported by United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).

Kiema said the Tsodilo heritage challenge contributed positively to the growth of tourism by attracting many people.

The  Tsodilo Community Development Trust, she said was registered in 2005 through the help of Trust for Okavango Cultural and Development Initiatives (TOCADI) to make use of its natural resources to develop its community.

Kiema said the TCDT initially received assistance from Debswana worth about P10 million, which was used to construct gate houses, ablutions and staff houses.

She said the five-year project with Debswana also saw relocation of livestock from the Tsodilo Hills and drilling of boreholes for the livestock.

She said proceeds from the first Tsodilo Hills Heritage Challenge were used to refurbish the staff houses, ablutions, mobile health stop and connection of stand pipes.

Kiema said part of the proceeds were also channeled towards an airstrip and erection of about eight camping grounds.

She highlighted that their relationship with UNDP dates back to 2014.

Although UNDP spearheaded last and this year’s challenge under their Ngamiland Sustainable Land Management project, she said the trust would over running of the event next year.

Kiema further said the trust appreciated the mentorship and support from UNDP and hoped they would still get support from them in their future undertakings.

She said even individuals from the Tsodilo community benefited from the heritage challenge since some sold their artefacts during the event, adding they were optimistic about this year’s event would be a success.

She noted that Tsodilo community was made up of two main ethnic groups of Bambukushu and the Basarwa of the Jul’hoansi origin.

Kgosi Kelebetse Keasheta of Tsodilo said members of the community had realised the importance of other tourism alternatives to develop their area apart from the famous rock arts.

Kgosi Keasheta said it would be an honour for the Tsodilo community members to have diversified efforts that would see developments that could benefit Batswana at large not their community only.

The Tsodilo Hills Heritage Challenge is supported by the Tsodilo Community Development Trust, CSI Conception Foundation of the annual Jwaneng Desert Bush Walk, Duma FM, UNDP and department of National Museum and Monuments.ENDS