OWS celebrates 40 years of existence
The serene town of Maun bore witness to a momentous event as Okavango Wilderness Safaris marked its impressive four-decade journey with an opulent cocktail soirée. Kabelo N. Binns, the chairperson of the organization, delivered an inspiring discourse that resonated with the company's evolution and its contributions to Botswana's environmental preservation, local communities, and economic advancement.
Binns unveiled the organization's resolute commitment to enriching wilderness and wildlife through strategic initiatives encompassing employment empowerment, bolstering small enterprises, and reducing dependence on finite natural resources. With a team of 1,100 personnel, of whom 96% are Botswana citizens, and an average of 3.4 staff members per bed, the company is fostering livelihoods while enhancing the guest experience.
Over the past ten years, the company disbursed more than 1 billion Pula in salaries, offering a substantial boost to the local economy. A remarkable correlation between staff earnings and shareholder dividends highlights the company's ethos of shared prosperity. Government coffers received a substantial contribution of 672 million Pula over the same period, representing P5.16 for every P1 distributed to shareholders.
Binns emphasized Okavango Wilderness Safaris' profound allegiance to local commerce, with 85% of the total value of goods and services procured from businesses based in Botswana, spanning the length and breadth of the nation. The organization's commitment is also evident in its investments, exceeding 1.6 billion Pula over the past decade, and a dedicated shareholder investment of 638 million Pula during the same period.
The company's Travel Shop, nestled in Botswana and present in multiple locations, injects up to 300 million Pula into the local economy annually through the procurement of third-party products. Binns noted the benefits to collaborative partners, including Cresta, Peermont, Chobe Holdings, and Beyond.
Amidst this commitment, Binns heralded a change in perspective encapsulated in the phrase 'le Rona Ra Chencha! (We are Changing too!)'. This paradigm shift entails a dedicated exploration of collaborations with stakeholders to empower local communities. This ambition extends from integrating local products like soap, specialty foods, jewelry, music, cultural artifacts, and spices into lodges, to the upcoming Local Product Luxury Safari
Expo scheduled for December.
This innovative event aims to spotlight the best offerings from Botswana's Small, Medium, and Micro-sized Enterprises (SMMEs).
Binns's rallying message echoed: 'We are open for Local Business.' This statement encapsulates Okavango Wilderness Safaris' resounding commitment to sustainable growth, community upliftment, and collaboration with local enterprises to create a legacy of excellence for the future.