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OKAVANGO RIVER BRIDGE TO OPEN
President Dr Mokgweetsi Masisi is to officially open the Okavango River Bridge which is 1.2 kilometers long this coming Saturday.
The bridge will not only take the tourism sector sky high but will also ease movement of people and goods in the Okavango area. Constructed at a cost of about P1 billion, the bridge connects villages on the eastern side of the Okavango (Mohembo East) to Mohembo West, which is affectionately known as overseas to the community.
The bridge was opened for the public use on June 2022 by the Minister of Transport and Public Works, Mr Eric Molale.
Kgosi Mutemo Mbambo of Shakawe expressed gratitude for the Okavango River Bridge as it brought an end to reliance on the ferry which has long ben introduced to the people in 1970 had its good and bad.
“It eased movement across the river and made it possible for vehicles to cross the Okavango River for the first time. Only a few individuals who lived ‘overseas’ such as two school heads and the then Member of Parliament had vehicles and were now able to drive across the river with the aid of a ferryboat. Some government vehicles were also afforded an opportunity to cross the river, thereby improving service delivery to the overseas residents,” he said.
Kgosi Mbambo remembered an unforgettable incident where a woman gave birth and spent a night by the river as the ferry had stopped operating for the day being from 6am and 6pm and there was no movement across the river at night.
The new bridge will allow for free movement as the people of Okavango can move between the two villages to attend social events, deliver goods without having to wait long for the ferry.
