Kgatleng District to have its own nature reserve

The Kgatleng District has started the construction of a park to be called Matshabe Nature Reserve Park in the Mosupabatho and Mochudi hills.
Speaking at the occasion, the Assistant Minister of Trade and Industry, Keletso Rakhudu said the event was a ‘watershed moment’ for the area as the 350 hector park is the first of its kind in Kgatleng and third in the region after the Gaborone Game Reserve and Mmokolodi Nature reserve. It will not only help enhance the nation’s conservation efforts but will also serve as an educational hub.
“This is because the park will introduce a number of animal species from outside the area that will be recommended following the conclusion of the Environmental Impact assessment Study and the Management plan for the park,” he said.
He added that some of the species that are not normally found in the area will be introduced into the park, to make it more attractive, which will be good for tourism. Kgatleng and Mochudi in particular will thus become a tourist centre.
The park will also promote natural resources utilisation by the local community to improve their livelihoods.
“We should all as communities assess and profile the natural resources that are found and are available in our communities, develop and employ them to generate sustainable livelihoods,” said Rakhudu.
He expressed hope that since the park will also have cultural village, lodge, a restaurant and a conference facility it will surely assist in creating job opportunities for Bakgatla and Batswana. He said the government through the Department of Forestry and Range Resources promotes access to natural resources by rural communities through the implementation of the Community Based Natural Resources Management.
The minister thanked partners like Kgatleng District Council which has contributed its own resources to ensure the takeoff of the fencing component of the project. Dewet Drilling Company donated Zebras, undertaken to further donate other animal species from their farm in Tuli Block and also pledged to drill three boreholes in the park. Letsatsi Investments assisted with plant and equipment at discounted rates.
“We will also like to thank Ama Projects for the project management services they provided on pro bono basis as well as Mr. Thabo Tau and Mrs. Gorata Kgafela for providing their architectural services to the foundation. Government encourages partnerships of this nature,” he said.