This was so because of the seemingly lucrative Zutshwa salt project that supplied Livestock Advisory Centres (LAC) in most parts of the country. But that was just an illusion, probably influenced by unrealistic hopes.

Most of Bakgalagadi and Basarwa who populate Zutshwa settlement are unemployed and poverty stricken.

A large proportion of them are dependent on government handouts. However, they are hopeful that the situation will change for the better one day.

In contrast to urban life, life in this settlement is so relaxed and laid back. It is rural in the true sense of the word. The intense summer heat keeps people inside their houses.

Most residents hunt game and gather wild fruits for survival while a few work in the farms around the district.

After several futile attempts to locate elders of the settlement, our team was directed to the Village Development Committee chairman who led us to Mr Taolo Gabohumisiwe, secretary of the Qhaa Qhing Conservation Trust.

Qhaa Qhing has apparently since taken over the salt project following the dissolution of Maiteko Tshwaragano Trust Fund in June 2004.

Without any hesitation, Mr. Gabohumisiwe said the project used to be a money-spinner.

It is now a white elephant due to mismanagement by the committee that took over the running of the trust when the Germans who established it left in 2003.

Inside the warehouse, are big heaps of salt, some members are accused of doing business behind the backs of others by selling salt, something that irks the secretary.

Mr. Gabohumisiwe said residents used to earn a living from the project, and that most people in the village had some jobs unlike today when they do not have any reason to wake up, except to deal with poverty everyday.

The project was started in the early 1990s through the assistance of some Germans of the Lutheran Church as a way of trying to help residents of Zutshwa have a source of income and it was initially a success.

He said the windmills pumped water from underground into a small dam they constructed next to the salt pan. The water was, however, too salty for human consumption.

A desalination project was as a result put up. He said the place was abundant with salt to an extent that they started supplying the Livestock Advisory Centres (LAC) in most parts of the country.

He said around 2003, the Germans, who had solicited funds from external donors, felt that residents of Zutshwa were now competent and could run the project on their own.

Little did they know that trouble was about to begin. Firstly, there was a leadership crisis with residents divided over who should coordinate the project.

The disagreement was basically along tribal lines, but eventually a compromise was reached. Even after a compromise was reached, the working relationship was not good and the project declined until it collapsed and no money came from the salt project. we lost our jobs and poverty came, he said.

He said as the project did not yield any income it was dissolved and incorporated into the Qhaa Qhing Trust, which dealt with a campsite and a craft shop.

But that also did not solve the problem as the newly elected committee, of which he is the secretary also did not have good working relations and experience which led to the Vice chairman resigning from the board.

He said there was lack of transparency in the committee and even when the new one was to be elected nothing will change unless there is an experienced and qualified coordinator who can help redeem the project.

For his part, the former Kgalagadi MP, Mr. Lesedi Mothibamele who saw the project take off and helped by convincing government to buy the salt for LACs, is disappointed that the lucrative project had collapsed.

I believe the project collapsed mainly due to poor coordination and management and poor working relations among the community when the project was handed to them.

He said in the era of the salt project, Zutshwa was no longer just a geographical site, but a village where people worked and developments were made and they were self-reliant.

The Kgalagadi North Technical Advisory Council Coordinator, Ms Masego Gabatshwane said they were aware of the problems that Qhaa Qhing Trust was experiencing.

She said the trust had written to the government to be supported to revive the salt mining project. Hopefully, a positive response will bring life back to the settlement. BOPA