- From fully booked hotels to bustling shopping centres and sold-out informal traders, this year’s Orange Phikwe Marathon is being credited with injecting millions of pula into Selebi Phikwe’s local economy while creating business opportunities for residents
TLOTLO KEBINAKGABO
The Orange Phikwe Marathon has once again extended its impact beyond the finish line, with businesses across Selebi Phikwe reporting increased activity as thousands of visitors descended on the town for the annual event.
Among those benefiting was Phase 4 resident Kgatlhego Mosong, who operated a food stall selling hotdogs and other refreshments during the marathon weekend.
“This business is not something I do all the time. It’s mostly part-time during tournaments and activities in Phikwe,” Mosong said on the sidelines of the tournament that took place over the weekend in Selibe Phikwe. “This year is much better in terms of attendance compared to last year. More people came. Even as we are speaking, my stock has finished, and this is the second time we are restocking. It’s really promising, and I think I’m going to generate three times more in profits than I usually do.”
Growing Attendance
According to Orange Botswana Communications and Public Relations Manager Tebogo Nadisah, the marathon attracted more than 2,700 runners, bringing with them spending that reached businesses throughout the town.
“We have had a great weekend as we have seen Phikwe turn literally Orange,” Nadisah said. “We have had over 2,700 runners and the great thing about it is that we have people who are not only running but who are bringing an economic boost to Phikwe.”
He said the event had generated business for accommodation providers, shopping centres and small enterprises.
“I mean all hotels are booked, malls are busy and SMMEs have had a way of benefiting from this marathon, and this is exactly how we want to see economic empowerment being done,” he said.
Economic Lifeline
Selebi Phikwe Mayor Oageng Makgosa said the marathon has played an important economic role since the closure of the town’s mine in 2016.
“The economic impact of this marathon is so immense given that when the mine closed in 2016, we took a nose dive economically, which meant that we didn’t have anywhere to go, but Orange has been there,” Makgosa said.
He said the event has delivered sustained benefits over the past decade by creating activity across multiple sectors.
“Hotel rooms are booked, petrol is bought, and the estimation shows that P6 million circulates in Phikwe during the marathon weekend,” he said.
Makgosa added that residents, particularly young people operating small food businesses, continue to benefit from the increased visitor numbers.
“We can see that our kids are benefiting, those who are selling food and so on. People of Phikwe are benefiting greatly. That’s what we want—for people to benefit. We don’t have time to cry but rather to see how we can diversify.”