The Vice President and Minister of Finance, Mr. Ndaba Nkosinathi Gaolathe, has officially launched city tourism initiative. This historic occasion places the city of Francistown on the map. As many proudly call Francistown the City of All things Precious, more than any other time, this is a perfect time for the residents of Francistown to stand united in celebration of this great milestone.
In his keynote address the Vice President indicated that City Tourism is an economic strategy that creates jobs, opens markets, and builds pride; pride in our heritage, ecology, and communities. He further indicated that it also means opportunity for the youth, artists, small businesses.
The VP shared that the launch of the City Tourism in Francistown signals a shared commitment to a more diversified, inclusive, and resilient tourism sector—one that reflects the richness of our cities, the strength of our people, and the promise of our nation and he urged the Local Authorities, business community and all stakeholders to support this initiative and work together in harnessing the full potential of the City Tourism. He informed the private sector that it is their moment to step forward, to lead in their space, and to drive tourism development across its entire value chain and he assured them that government stands ready to create an enabling environment, providing policy support, and facilitate partnerships that allow enterprise to thrive.
Looking back into the history of Francistown, the VP indicated that prospectors came from Australia, America, Europe and across Africa, drawn by the promise of opportunity. From that moment, Francistown became a gateway town, a meeting place of worlds; African, global, traditional and modern. He pointed out that Francistown’s railway lines carried labour, dreams, stories and remittances and its streets absorbed languages, cultures, music and courage from across the region.
Attendees were informed that around the world, cities have learned to turn memory into opportunity, and the VP encouraged the people of Francistown to do the same. He gave an example of the abandoned mining cottages near Nyangabgwe Hill, the colonial structures like the Hexagonal House where Jubilee Hospital now stands, and in liberation era sites now at risk of disappearing into dust. He indicated that these are not ruins but assets and pieces of our heritage, which are tourism gold not forgetting the Tati and Ntshe rivers that flow through the city, the Tachila Nature Reserve, which protects biodiversity while offering space for learning, leisure and conservation.
The VP further indicated that the city of Francistown can offer heritage walks and liberation trails, cultural festivals, birding and eco-tourism and a rich mix of food, music, art and story-telling.
Mr. Gaolathe also indicated that Botswana is entering a new chapter; one shaped by economic diversification, creativity, inclusion and courage and he noted that the Botswana Economic Transformation Programme (BETP) serves as our guiding compass in this transformation.
