Tsodilo Hills World Heritage Site

By Mesh Moeti

“Indeed, from the moment I first saw them rising suddenly out of the flat plain, I had the same upsurge of emotions that made the psalmist cry out loud: I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from whence cometh my help,” wrote Laurens Van Der Post about his initial experience with Tsodilo Hills.

Tsodilo Hills World Heritage Site remains as mystical as when Van Der Post first set foot here – and the community of Tsodilo is still as poor. ODMP is currently piloting a cultural tourism project to generate income for the community. Housed at the Tsodilo Museum, the curio shop project promotes the sale of cultural artifacts from the Tsodilo settlement’s craft makers.

The museum officer – Tebogo Segadika – says the shop has brought dignity to the craft makers. Prior to it, there used to be unsightly scrambles for buyers whenever a vehicle carried tourists to the heritage site.

An ambitious management plan for Tsodilo envisages a state of the art amphitheatre to showcase local cultures, two campsites, a lodge and a game park – all in the hands of the community through the local community development trust.

“The management plan will improve our livelihood. There is potential for tourism in this area, and we hope it will create employment for our children,” says Phoraki Katunda, chairman of the Tsodilo Community Development Trust.