14 Apr 2014

The North East District Council (NEDC) chairperson, Mr City Kealotswe, has implored stakeholders to go an extra mile in their efforts aimed at helping the nation attain the Vision 2016 goals.

Officially closing a three-day Vision 2016 Smart Partnership workshop in Masunga on April 10, Mr Kealotswe said with only two years left before reaching the year 2016, it was crucial for all to double their efforts in ensuring the realisation of the ideal of prosperity for all by 2016.

“As we are only left with two years to the year 2016, these will be the most critical years to double our efforts in ensuring that we attain prosperity for all as envisaged by all seven vision pillars,” he noted.

Mr Kealotswe underscored the need for all to have a sense of ownership towards the Vision 2016 goals. He highlighted the need for every Motswana to live the vision in every area of their lives, observing that the attainment of its ideals would not come about without high levels of commitment and self-drive on the part of every citizen.

The council chairman also cautioned the workshop attendants against what he termed the “pull-him-down” syndrome, saying instead of being envious of their fellow countrymen; Batswana should devise ways of helping one another to reach greater heights in various spheres of life.

He added that economic growth was necessary for the achievement of the Vision 2016 pillars. He observed that engaging in sustainable economic activities, projects and programmes were essential in the quest to achieve prosperity for all.

He commended government for having put in place programmes such as ISPAAD and the Youth Empowerment Scheme to help uplift the lives of the society’s less-privileged, urging those eligible to use such programmes to improve their standard of living.

With regard to the economic status of the district, Mr Kealotswe said the North East had experienced growth in some sectors such as tourism.

“We have experienced growth in some sectors of the economy such as tourism as shown by the increase in the number of lodges in the district,” he said, noting that the annual Domboshaba cultural festival also continued to draw people to the district.

In the end, Mr Kealotswe hailed the district’s traditional leadership for their role in efforts to attain the Vision 2016 goals, urging other stakeholders to take responsibility for leading the way by encouraging all to fully embrace the national vision.

The three-day workshop was held, among others, to help in drawing a district roadmap for the attainment of the Vision 2016 goals. ENDS