15 Apr 2025

Okavango Wilderness Safaris (OWS) has handed over two classroom blocks constructed at the value of P2 million to Eretsha Primary School. 

Accepting the classrooms, the Minister of Child Welfare and Basic Education Ms Nono Kgafela-Mokoka appreciated the gesture from Wilderness Safaris, which she said would benefit learners in Eretsha and the entire community. Ms Kgafela-Mokoka said government valued collaboration with the private sector especially at a time when the government was grappling with a financial deficit. 

She said the donation by OWS was a proof of public-private-partnership and the commitment of the company to its area of operation, evidenced by previous donations to the five villages that fall under the Okavango Community Trust (OCT), which is its investment partner. 

Ms Kgafela-Mokoka hailed the classroom project for local empowerment since the contractor engaged was from Seronga, who worked with employees from the local communities. She said the project, which included the construction of a durable fence and solar lights to mitigate human-wildlife conflict, especially intrusion from elephants, would help promote safe spaces for the learners. 

Okavango East Member of Parliament, Mr Gabatsholwe Disho thanked Wilderness Safaris for the donation to the Eretsha community, which he said symbolised true partnership between the company and the OCT communities. Mr Disho appealed to other private companies operating in the constituency to partner with government and assist schools to ensure all children went to school. Mr Disho expressed concern about the challenges faced by the Okavango District due to poor economic status of the community. 

He said Okavango East had four satellite schools out of 15 primary schools while some settlements deserving of primary schools had none. Mr Disho raised concern about the poor academic performance of the two junior secondary schools in the constituency, being Ngambao and Gowa Junior Secondary Schools, which he said recorded 10 per cent and 16 per cent pass rate last year and have dilapidated school structure. 

The Managing Director of Okavango Wilderness Safaris, Mr Joe Matome, said the classroom project commenced last August and was completed in January. Mr Matome said the project was meant to help learners access education in a safe environment as it aligned to the Okavango Wilderness Safaris  pillars to educate, empower and protect. He said the two classroom blocks increased Eretsha Primary School classrooms to six, which is a one third increase in a school of 290 learners. ENDS