April 2025 – Wilderness Botswana, in proud partnership with the country’s North West District Council, the Eretsha village community, and partners in the tourism industry, recently handed over new infrastructure to Eretsha Primary School – a partner school of the company’s Children in the Wilderness (CITW) Botswana programme. The handover marks the completion of a community development project worth BWP2 million, focused on education, safety, and empowerment, in one of Botswana’s most remote but vibrant communities, situated near Wilderness Vumbura Plains.
The Minister of Child Welfare and Basic Education, Honourable Nono Kgafela-Mokoka, officiated on behalf of Government, alongside key representatives from the Ministry of Local Government, the Okavango Community Trust (OCT), 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. True to Wilderness Botswana’s collaborative approach, the project was delivered through an inclusive, community-led process, employing local contractors from nearby, thus 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 played by Kgosi Mosinyegi, the parents of Eretsha, the school and its dedicated teachers.
Today we are not simply opening classrooms – we are opening doors to opportunity. 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 Impact 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 extremely proud of.
Joe Matome, Wilderness Botswana Caretaker Managing Director
The promising new infrastructure reflects Wilderness Botswana’s deep and lasting commitment to the people of Botswana. As part of its broader vision, the conservation tourism company continues to invest in education and conservation through initiatives such as the CITW Botswana programme, which is the flagship of its “Educate” Impact pillar. “This project is a reminder 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”, Joe added.
Eretsha Primary School will see 64 students benefit from the two new classrooms, while all of its 247 students, plus teachers and broader community members, will be safer due to the new perimeter fencing and solar-powered lights. Wilderness has a long-standing partnership with the OCT communities, and looks forward to continuing to help empower the region’s learners through CITW Botswana.
To browse an image gallery from the official handover, click here.
