KASANE CENTRAL MARKET STALLS A PANACEA FOR SMALL BUSINESSES IN CHOBE
1. Executive Head of Corporate Affairs, Ms Rachel Lungile Mothibatsela
2. Hon. Council Chair Person, Mr. Chimney Mululwani
3. Newly opened Kasane Market Stalls
4. Corporate Affairs Manager, Mr Patrick Phuti Mokwele
Debswana Diamond Company officially launched the Kasane Central Market Stalls in collaboration with the Chobe District Council and Kasane Central Village Development Committee (VDC). The project comprises of 18 leased units that provide operational space for Small, Micro and Medium Enterprises, some of which are owned by females, youth and one differentlyabled entrepreneur. There are also additional 10 open air market stalls. The project was co-funded by Debswana through its Corporate Social Investment (CSI) Programme to the tune of P920,000.00 while Chobe District Council co-funded with the sum of P820,000.00 including provision of technical skills and expertise during project execution.
Giving a keynote address during the launch, Executive Head of Corporate Affairs at Debswana, Ms. Rachel Mothibatsela, commended the Kasane Central VDC for successfully managing the stalls since inception in 2014 and stated that another investment was made in 2022 to refurbish the market centre. She encouraged the VDC to be transparent and accountable to the community, maintain the centre and reinvest the funds wisely in other impactful income generating initiatives. “The Kasane Market stalls present an incredible opportunity to impact the livelihoods of people in the Chobe District through income generation and creation of decent jobs. This market will directly solve some of the challenges facing Small, Micro and Medium enterprises in our country, such as lack of or high costs of operational space, lack of funding, poor business management and inadequate marketing skills to mention but a few.”
Chobe District Council Secretary Mr. Esau Mbanga hailed the partnership with Debswana and encouraged the general business community to invest in public private partnerships. “Some of the diversified services provided at the market stalls are; safari services, curio shops and supplies, business consultations and taxation, travel and tours, cosmetics, courier services, copy shop and stationery. Through this project, VDC will sustainably use the rental income for maintenance and community development purposes,” said Mbanga. The Kasane Central VDC Chairperson, Ms. Gladys Motho, also thanked Debswana and said that, “The market stalls have created livelihoods for our youth, to further cultivate their entrepreneurial skills and increase their competitiveness.” The Kasane market is one of several CSI projects delivered by Debswana to cultivate entrepreneurship, create sustainable employment and make life brilliant for communities.