07/08/2026
CHOBE DISTRICT COUNCIL HOSTS A BUSINESS CONSULTATIVE MEETING
On the 04th August 2026 Chobe District Council put together the business community in Chobe at the Fire depot to come and engage in issues of mutual concern.
The Council Chairperson also the Waste Management Ambassador in Chobe Honourable Johane Chenjekwa addressed the stakeholders as the key speaker relaying the message that when Council through various departments conducts inspections they are not on a fighting mode but solely doing a mandate to protect the consumers by ensuring compliance.
He showed appreciation for the business community as they employ various people who in turn support their families and improve livelihoods. However, Chenjekwa stated a concern that most business tend to comply at the time of license application then later relax the standards, encouraging them to refrain from this practice. The Chairperson further informed the stakeholders that payment of rates will commence soon and they should be ready to comply. When concluding his address Chenjekwa urged the business community to now level up their game and consider doing bigger projects that will be sustainable for the communities where the businesses are operating rather than conducting the usual social responsibility of donations.
Various presentations included environmental cleanliness, compliance of license conditions, public property valuation and payment of rates, bye law issues from the; Public Health, Physical Planning, Commercial Affairs, Fire and Rescue Services and Bye Law departments respectively.
When the business stakeholders got the platform to share their views and recommendations the issues noted included; that Chobe as a tourism area appears to have a challenge of litter and the business community is ready and willing to assist with waste receptacles. The location of the landfill needs revision and the matter of waste segregation to be taken of high importance, the other issue mentioned that they decried as lack of compliance to regulations was what they termed delay in meeting booking inspections by Council teams.
When doing the closing remarks, the District Commissioner Mr Tshepo Mophuting advocated for such forums to be held more often such that feedback and way forwards can be properly mapped and followed up in unity.
The attendants of the day included; retail operators, liquor outlets, tourism operators, SMMES import & export operators and licensing agents.