The TGR 1000 or Mantshwabisi as it is popularly called, returns to Jwaneng from today until Sunday after a five-year absence. The race will be held on local shores for the first time since Selebi-Phikwe in 2019. As the engines warm up, Kereng expects a very profitable weekend for the big and small-scale businesses in and around Jwaneng. Addressing the media on Wednesday, Kereng said as per the norm within her ministry ahead of events of this nurture, an economic survey has been done. She said the economic survey found among others local businesses and companies could benefit from hosting events of Mantshwabisi to generate revenues and income and also set business growth trends.
As per the economic survey, Kereng said the TGR 1000 is expected to gross millions of pula for local businesses. “We compare with the previous years (of the event) and we also compare with the time where there are no events. I must say in the Selebi-Phikwe event of 2019, revenue earnings exceeded P11m to local businesses that provided different services and products. So we are looking again with much anticipation that this event is going to generate quite a lot of revenue for the people,” she said. Kereng welcomed the return of the desert race as she said it helps in the diversification of the tourism sector. The TGR 1000 presents a total shift from mainstream tourism locations, services and products. The event is the most attended sporting activity in the country with spectators estimated at over 100,000. The minister said the weekend-long activity is an indication that the country should tap into sports tourism.
She said the event is a class apart from other sporting events as it composes of leisure, sports, culture and lifestyle activities and it is a good seller for sport tourism. Botswana has agreed to a five-year contract with the South Africa Cross-Country Championship Series for the hosting rights of the Mantshwabisi. Kereng said plans are in motion for Botswana to have an event of its own of this nature in the future. Meanwhile, Kereng revealed that President Mokgweetsi Masisi will drop the flag on Saturday morning to signal the start of the car race event.
