MOLEBI OBONYE
editors@thepatriot.co.bw
The 2021 International Museum Day was held in Gcwihaba with the theme “The future of museums; recover and re-imagine”, in line with the changing times where technology and the internet are making the world a global community.
Speaking at the event on Saturday, Minister of Environment Natural Resources Conversation and Tourism (MENT),Philda Kereng said the theme compliments their vision of visualizing and rebuilding museums so that they may be in line with current times. Kereng explained that her ministry recently completed an integrated Management plan for NG4 area which includes the Gcwihaba caves. “These steps are made for the welfare of communities in the area so that they reignite socio-economic status for the Xai-Xai and Xangwa communities,”she said.
One of the ways in which the ministry will ensure monuments are more technical is discussions made by France and German Embassies together with National Museums to develop an App for heritage sites in Botswana. The initiative is said to help amplify cultural tourism as a driver for recovery and innovation in the Post COVID-19 era.
MP for Ngami, Carter Hikuama said he was happy that important monuments such as Gcwihaba caves are getting recognition as this will help in job creation. He encouraged youth to be hands-on when it comes to businesses, stressing that services that the youth can do in the area are imported from places such as Maun. Hikuama also pleaded with the MENT to consider revamping the roads that lead to Gcwihaba as they are hard to maneuver.
Xai-xai Tlhabololo Trust Manager, Eric Keharara said he was pleased that this year’s event was held in Gcwihaba as he hopes it will give the community exposure. “I hope the exposure will in a way expand craft production, market tourism ,vending and food production here, since everything has reduced due to COVID-19,”he said.