27 Nov 2024

Khama III Memorial Museum’s Mokala project which is envisaged to change the economic landscape of Serowe has been launched.

 Speaking during the museum’s business community engagement in Serowe recently, the museum’s curator Gase Kediseng said the project, which comprises the construction of a restaurant, would be more than just a restaurant.

She said the project comprises a celebration of Serowe’s rich culinary heritage, adding the project was named after a Mokala tree, a historic symbol of community gathering. 

Further, she said the restaurant would serve as a contemporary yet authentic dining destination that would offer the best of traditional Setswana dishes with modern flair.

She also said authentic Setswana cuisine featuring regional recipes and traditional dishes from across Serowe would be served at the envisaged restaurant. 

Kediseng said the Mokala Restaurant situated within Khama III Memorial Museum was more than just a dining space but goes beyond an immersive experience.

She said the restaurant design draws inspiration from luxury safari lodges, incorporating earthy tones, natural materials and a touch of the African sunset, and all in all maintaining an intimate connection to the local community and culture.

For a friendly and family experience, she said the facility would be designed to welcome families, offering an elegant yet comfortable atmosphere where children would have an opportunity to middle with adults, opining it is an inclusive facility.

For the eco-friendly values, she said the facility would be committed to sustainable practises including biodegradable packaging, local sourcing and waste reduction initiatives. 

She said the facility creates a platform for tourists to experience the warmth of the community, the depth of history and the joy of authentic cuisine. She said Mokala was projected to create over 25 new jobs comprising internships and training opportunities for the youth. 

Furthermore, she opined that the project presented an opportunity to support local producers with 70 per cent of ingredients sourced locally, adding Mokala directly supports Serowe’s agriculture and small businesses.

“The restaurant will regularly feature local artists, creating dynamic space celebrating Setswana culture and artistry,” she said. 

She said the restaurant would position itself as a ‘must visit’ destination set to attract both local and international tourists; set to change the economic landscape and facelift of Serowe.

“The purpose of the engagement was to liaise with the business community for sustained support of the museum’s mission and future projects as well as strengthen the museum’s role as a cornerstone of cultural and economic development in Serowe and beyond,” she said.

She said the museum’s mandate since its inception in 1985 had been always to preserve pre-history, current history, historical buildings, natural heritage, historical sites of significance, cultural heritage, ethnographic collections, archival collections, traditional heritage and other national assets of importance but lack of adequate funding hampered their efforts.

Khama III Memorial Museum is entrusted with keeping historical documents of significance such as Khama III or ‘The Great’, Sekgoma I, Tshekedi Khama and Ms Bessie Head, a South African writer who though born in South Africa, is usually considered Botswana's most influential writer.

The museum board chairperson, Michael Motsokono implored Serowe community to know more about the museum. 

He said people come from far places to visit the museum and gain knowledge about the facility while people residing in the village knew very little about the museum, thus imploring them to fully utilise the facility. 

Valuing the importance of partnerships, Motsokono said it was paramount to lend a helping hand in community projects that had potential to diversify the economy, adding the tourism industry contributed significantly to Gross Domestic Product (GDP).

Therefore, he urged Batswana to be cognisant that their contribution was vital in identifying and implementing areas that can contribute meaningfully to the economy. Ends