As Botswana’s capital, Gaborone has a key role to play in the country’s development. Improving the city’s infrastructure, reaching Millennium Development Goals (particularly empowering young people), and enhancing Gaborone’s position as a diamond hub are some of the current targets for Gaborone’s City Council, most of whose members are in their 30s. As Mayor Kagiso Thutlwe points out, “Young people are dreamers who are always willing to fight for their dreams. Gaborone’s current leaders are dynamic young people working to turn the city around.”
A top priority at the moment is to upgrade Gaborone’s water and electricity networks. One project will focus on improving the city’s street lighting, including installing LED lights, and the City Council has issued a tender for this initiative. As part of its effort to empower local young people, the City Council is organising festivals which will create job opportunities for youth. Over the longer term, the City Council actively supports investments in new hotels and other facilities and services which will enhance Gaborone’s role as an international diamond hub and will help encourage both business and tourism visitors to stay longer in the city.
International partners and investors welcome
To reach these ambitious goals, the City Council welcomes the help of international investors and partners. As Mpho Mathe, Town Clerk, points out, “Gaborone’s City Council aims to create an open, favourable environment for private-sector investors, both local and foreign. Rather than relying solely on government support, Gaborone must fully involve the private sector in development projects. The City Council is creating public-private partnerships and looking for opportunities for outsourcing. We are currently seeking partners for road construction. Gaborone is open for business!”
The City Council especially supports environmentally-friendly projects, like a current one in a partnership with Sweden to turn an existing slaughterhouse into a recycling centre. Gaborone’s leaders want to encourage a culture of recycling in the city and particularly favour “green” energy projects, such as turning recycled waste into energy.
Through all these efforts, the City Council aims to establish a modern, forward-thinking, business-friendly Gaborone. Mpho Mathe concludes, “The City Council wants people to want to live, invest and do business in Gaborone, and is actively involved in rebranding the city. Gaborone has a very strategic location and great economic potential, and the City Council is committed to positioning Gaborone as a thriving destination for both tourism and business.”
