Okavango Wilderness Safaris (OWS), in proud partnership with the Northwest District Council, the Community, and partners in the tourism industry, has today officially handed over newly built infrastructure to Eretsha Primary School. The handover marks the completion of a 2 million community development project focused on education, safety, and empowerment in one of Botswana’s most remote but vibrant communities.
The Minister of Child Welfare and Basic Education, Honourable Nono Kgafela-Mokoka, was present to receive the project on behalf of Government, alongside key representatives from the Ministry of Local Government, the Okavango Community Trust, the North West District Council, and community leadership including Kgosi Mosinyegi of Eretsha.
The initiative, which broke ground in August 2024 and was completed in January 2025 in time for the school’s first term, includes a block of two fully furnished classrooms, perimeter fencing around the school grounds, and solar-powered lights to enhance visibility and deter elephants from breaching the school boundary. The project was delivered through an inclusive, community-led process, employing local contractors from the community and contributing to regional skills development and employment.
Honourable Minister Kgafela-Mokoka, in receiving the project, praised the role of the private sector in advancing national development through targeted, impactful partnerships. “What we see here today is the result of a true partnership — a community, a company, and a government working hand in hand to uplift our children. The classrooms and safety measures provided by Wilderness will not only support learning, but they reflect the kind of forward-thinking collaboration that builds a stronger Botswana”.
The project was supported by several long-standing partners of Wilderness including the Daunara Foundation, the Copham and Hilton families, the Wild Bird Trust, and Lodge Builders Botswana. Wilderness also acknowledges the integral role of Kgosi Mosinyegi, the school and parents of Eretsha, and the dedicated teachers who breathe life into the learning experience every day.
“Today we are not simply opening classrooms — we are opening doors to opportunity”, said Joe Matome, Caretaker Managing Director of Okavango Wilderness Safaris. “This is a beacon of possibility. A space where our children can be safe, inspired, and prepared to shape the future of Botswana. At Wilderness, our pillars — Educate, Empower, and Protect — are more than just words; they are the foundation of our work. This project brings them to life in a way that we are incredibly proud of”.
The infrastructure reflects OWS’s deep and lasting commitment to Botswana. As part of its broader vision, OWS continues to invest in education and conservation through initiatives such as the Children in the Wilderness (CITW) Botswana programme. “This project is a reminder,” Joe added, “that even in the most remote corners of our country, excellence and opportunity can — and must — thrive. Go ruta ngwana ke go aga sechaba. To educate a child is to build a nation”.
Eretsha Primary School, home to 247 learners, will see 64 students benefit from this new infrastructure. This is a relatively new primary school whose students moved from Beetsha to Eretsha, and these learners will continue to be part of the CITW Botswana programme.