28 Aug 2024

Nhabe Museum board together with Chobe Holdings are working on a project aimed at giving the community museum a facelift and brand Maun as a destination of choice. The project entails having a 3.5m tall basket structure infront of the meseum. The art detail will be located strategically along the road to Maun International Airport and Moremi Game Reserve. Museum manager, Tumelo Thukutha said in an interview that Chobe Holdings had invested P500 000 in the project adding that all was progressing well.

Thukutha said North West region was globally known for producing unique baskets with colourful patterns that were part of the Botswana culture and were popular with tourists visiting the place.  “With the project, we are trying to attract more tourists to pass through the museum before flying into the famous Okavango Delta while at the same time showcasing the regions’ artistic and cultural heritage,” he added. The structure also showcases the region’s rich culture and tradition.  Thukutha appealed to the community to bring artefacts to the museum so to diversify its inventory and also for preservation. All tribes residing in the region should contribute material, Thukutha said, adding that plans were  also underway to refurbish the museum, to make it more visible and attractive.   Once the monument is complete, Thukutha said they planned to paint the silos at Batawana main kgotla, that was built in 1915. “ We also intend to profile all the heritage monuments in Maun and old historic structures as well as develop a cultural route in which visitors will be taken through, to appreciate the beauty and heritage of the village,” he added.

Some of the heritage sites he identified include the caves on the banks of the Thamalakane River, historic old Motsaudi tree, which was used as a flea market in the past and where battering system was practised. Others include the first prison, post office and Old Maun General Hospital. ENDS