23 Nov 2021

National Environmental Fund (NEF) has injected P2 million towards the resuscitation of a cultural village at Sexaxa as part of initiatives aimed at  preserving the community’s originality.

The project was started by the village elders in 2006 with the intention to generate income for developments, and enjoyed the assistance and guidance from one professional guide from Zimbabwe who had an interest in cultural activities.

The guide, assisted the trust in marketing aspect by bringing tourists, through the support of other mobile safari operators.

In 2015, the project collapsed due to poor management and the villagers took a decision to rope in young people to resuscitate it.

Sexaxa Development Trust chairman, Onkabetse John confirmed the financial assistance in an interview noting that efforts were underway to revive the project strategically situated along the Maun/Shorobe road.

“My committee was very lucky as our first proposal to National Environmental Fund was successful as we managed to secure funding and a big thank you to Dr Susan Keitumetse, a cultural expert from Okavango Research Institute in Maun who helped us in writing a sound proposal,” he added.

John stated that the project commencement was delayed by processes and logistics to release funding but hoped everything would be in order before the end of the year to pave way for construction of the facility.

The trust, he said had now resolved to revisit the activity plan to cover pending issues such as environmental management plan, adding that they came up with a new model of the project to match the international standard as they targeted the international tourists  who would be on transit to the Okavango Delta.

The envisaged project, he said would provide a full cultural activity package which would include traditional activities such as traditional dance, traditional healing processes, how to pound sorghum, basket weaving and curving of wooden artefacts among others.

John also noted that the facility would comprise of a boma, some traditional houses for accommodation and a centre traditional artefacts would be on display to showcase the community’s lifestyle.

“We are trying to build a replica homestead where visitors will feel the essence of a traditional village life through experience, all in one place. Our visitors will also be treated to a traditional mokoro excursion,” he added.

The trust chairman stated that the project would promote cultural tourism as the area has an incredible rich culture.

He noted that most visitors came to Maun to be whisked off in a plane or safari vehicle into the delta, hence he believed the cultural village would offer a stopover especially for those using safari vehicles.

Matlapana area councillor, Kobamelo Baikgodisi called on relevant authorities to speed up the project takeoff.  

He concurred that the area had a diverse and rich culture that could attract a lot of visitors.

Baikgodisi was hopeful that the project would be a success and generate profits for the development of the village. ENDS