- Returns to Jwaneng by popular demand after Selebi-Phikwe hosted the 2019 edition before COVID-19
One of the biggest events on Botswana’s sports calendar, the Toyota Gazoo Racing SA Kalahari Botswana (TGRSA) 1000 Desert Race, that is popularly known as “Mantshwabisi” is finally returning to the country’s ‘Wild West’ for the 2023 edition after an absence of three years.
It returns to the diamond mining town of Jwaneng as host from 23 to 25 June 2023. The COVID-19 pandemic caused the 2020 Desert Race to be cancelled, and the town of Upington, in South Africa’s Northern Cape province that shares a contiguity of desert conditions with western Botswana, hosted the 2021 and the 2022 editions.
Briefing the media recently, the Minister of the Environment and Tourism, Philda Kereng, said the highly-anticipated event is returning southwestern Botswana by popular demand and the rough terrain of the Kgalagadi Desert where only the brave can dare. Kereng noted that the event is expected to contribute significantly to the country’s economy through its many value chains and promote Botswana as a unique tourism destination.
Emphasising the return on investment (ROI) of the event, the minister pointed out that the 2019 edition in Selibe- Phikwe saw revenue accrual of approximately P11 million for various businesses that provided services during the race. Kereng pointed to citizen participation in the event, saying the organisers have procured services from 100 percent citizen-owned companies and Batswana living along the route of the race. These include travel and tour packages from citizen tour operators, tented accommodation, sale of merchandise, waste collection, transport, casual labourers, and farms for camping.
According to Minister Kereng, the Mabutsane Sub-Council Council has issued approximately 200 trade licences for small local service providers, signifying interest from the business community along the route of the race. TGRSA 1000 Desert Race is the third round of the 2023 South African Rally-Raid Championship (SARRC) and is a feeder event to the Dakar Rally that offers hopefuls an opportunity to win free entry to the race.
