15 Aug 2024

Ministers, Honourable Kabo Morwaeng of State President and Honourable Dumezweni Mthimkhulu of Tourism , have expressed their desire to have the construction of a new museum in Molepolole completed before the next edition of Dithubaruba.

Speaking after the tour of the project situated in Ntsweng historical site on Wednesday, Hourable Mthimkhulu said he was disappointed that the project which started in 2017 was not yet complete, and called upon the project managers to engage with the contractor over the issue.

“This project started in 2017and we still do not have an end date. We can’t take this long,” he said.

Although total costs were yet to be confirmed, government had budgeted P60 million for the project that consists of a state of the art museum, amphitheatre and a restaurant.  The minister said he was disappointed that government projects were not completed on time and within stipulated budget, which robbed Batswana  of the much needed developments. Other than the Ntsweng project, refurbishment of the National Museum in Gaborone was also behind schedule and Minister Mthimkhulu said this was heartbreaking.

On the positive side, he welcomed the project and said the 60 ha plot could also host wild animals, something that would boost it as a major tourism site.

Minister of State President and also MP for Molepolole South said the plot was large enough to enable it to be developed further.

Mr Morwaeng said he was impressed that this will be the largest museum in the country adding the project was successful due to cooperation between government and all stakeholders, including the board of Kgosi Sechele I Museum. Likewise, he expressed disappointment that the project has not been completed, adding that it was in the same status it was in last year at this time.

The minister further asked the committee tasked with the project to look into expanding the amphitheatre as it could not accommodate everyone during last year’s Dithubaruba.

According to the Kgosi Sechele I Museum Curator, Mr Power Kawina, this has forced them to use an open space just next to the amphithreatre. He said they were already looking at the expansion of the amphitheatre, adding last year they were forced to limit the number of tickets due to limited space. Bakwena were urged to donate traditional artefacts to the museum, which will also accommodate other tribes living in Kweneng. Another issue which was discussed was Kgori Sechele I cannon used in the Battle of Dimawe but currently on display in a South African museum. Efforts to repatriate it has hit a snag as the South African government passed a law prohibiting exportation of military artefacts. It is said that Kgosi Montshiwa of Barolong had borrowed the artillery from Kgosi Sechele I and it eventually ended in South Africa. ENDS