Phikwe residents enthusiastic about BCL re-opening
Chakalisa Dube | Monday December 13, 2021 06:00
Karabo Gaborone, 26
Gaborone is not so enthusiastic about the planned reopening of the BCL Mine. She argues that it will take a while before the mine re-opens. According to her, the focus should now be on how the government can help deal with the economic consequences brought on by COVID-19 in Selebi-Phikwe. “There are support packages that were targeted at helping businesses deal with the effects of COVID-19, but they are not consistent with the challenges faced by the town, which I believe are unique.”
Malcolm Motele, 39
Motele, a sales executive working for Botswana Life, says that the imminent revival of BCL Mine brings new hope for Selebi-Phikwe. He, however, says his main worry is that the mining industry has seen an increase in the use of new technologies as well as a transition towards a low-carbon economy to counter the effects of global warming. According to him, the new BCL Mine owners will most likely go that route, which means that very few jobs will be created. “The government should scale up the support it gives to businesses in Selebi-Phikwe to create more jobs. There are already interventions that were introduced to support businesses, but they are not adequate. Some of the companies have constantly been retrenching people, which means that the interventions by government are not effective.”
Bareetsi Sanoto, 43
Sanoto, who is a taxi operator says that his business is in shambles because of the minimal economic activity in the town. He is concerned that plans to re-open the mine might take a while. Sanoto added that the citrus farm project, which is expected to boost the economy of the town, will also take time to bear fruit or reach the production stage. For this reason, he urges the government to also come up with temporary measures that will help stimulate the town’s economy while awaiting the reopening of the mine and full production at the citrus farm. “Some people lost their jobs immediately after the State of Emergency (SoE), something that has worsened the economy of the town, which is why government intervention is necessary.”
Pele Loiti, 41
Having lived in Phikwe for the better part of his life, the taxi driver says tthe decision to reopen the mine gives him optimism that families that were displaced will come back. “My business has not been doing well. The money that I make is from hand to mouth. I can’t save or plan ahead, but what pains me are the families that were displaced as a result of the sudden closure of the mine. This has killed the social fabric and vibrancy of the town.”
Bareetsi Bogobe, 34
The street vendor says the closure of the mine and the COVID-19 pandemic have stalled the lives of Phikwe residents. Bogobe notes that the expected reopening of the mine will help the people of Selebi-Phikwe get their lives back. Just like many in the town, she says that it is urgent and necessary for the government to come up with interim initiatives that will help boost economic activities in the town. She pointed out that COVID-19 has wiped the surviving businesses that had been on their knees since the closure of BCL.