The opening of the Shashe Dam in Tonita, Botswana, over the Easter weekend was met with significant anticipation amongst the Botswana community at the tourism opportunities it would bring. This is an important development for Botswana’s economy, as tourism accounts for almost 12% of its GDP.

The Botswana Tourism Organization (BTO), in partnership with Water Utilities Corporation (WUC), opened the dam for leisure and recreational activities, with a view to diversifying the current tourism offerings in the area. This will include the development of lodges, campsites, cycling, horse riding and fishing, amongst others. Both local and international tourists are expected to be drawn to the dam with these tourism offerings.

Job creation is also an important ingredient in the initiative’s tourism mix. Minister of Environment, Natural Resources Conversation and Tourism, Tshekedi Khama, says: “Locals are expected to actively participate and directly benefit from the dam tourism initiative that would be carried out in collaboration with the Local Enterprise Authority, which will assist start-up businesses with the much-needed skills. A total of 636 job opportunities are expected during the development phase of Shashe Dam project,” he says, with a forecast of 1 737 jobs being created from the dam’s tourism initiative across the country.

The Tonota Sub-District and its surrounding areas are expected to benefit from the tourism that the dam will generate. Tonota MP, Thapelo Olopeng, believes that the area could see 3 000 people from all walks of life converging at the dam over a weekend or the holidays.

Detailed plans for Gaborone, Thune, Letsibogo, Shashe and Ntimbale dams have been completed by BTO and WUC following the government’s approval, and funds have been set aside for the highlighted projects.