22 May 2014

The Mayor of Selebi Phikwe Mr Tebogo Matlhogonolo recently expressed disappointment at the low turnout of poverty eradication beneficiaries at market days organised by the council.

When addressing the Selebi Phikwe Town Council (SPTC) recently, Mr Matlhogonolo said market days are held every Friday, May 16 to avail opportunities for beneficiaries of the poverty eradication programme to access new markets, network with their counterparts and establish new customers.

He revealed that government spent over P1 million to fund and train 45 poverty eradication beneficiaries in various sectors such as textiles, bakery, beauty salon, handicrafts, leather and woodwork.

He added that initially 54 applicants were earmarked to benefit from poverty eradication packages, but the number was whittled down to 45 after assessment.

“Some were disqualified due to improved lifestyles while others were delayed by lack of operating space. At the moment we are working round the clock to make sure that operating space and source materials are availed for beneficiaries to start their businesses,” he said.

He further revealed that beneficiaries have undergone awareness training on financial management and bookkeeping so they run their businesses effectively.

Concerning the education sector, Mr Matlhogonolo revealed that over P274 000 has been disbursed for schools to purchase agricultural produce to feed their pupils.

An additional P10 000 has been allocated for handymen in each school. He further revealed that Selebi Phikwe has formed an education committee, chaired by the deputy district commissioner, to address challenges in delivery of education.

“One of the greatest challenges that our schools face is late delivery of stationery.

We are busy addressing the situation at the moment.

We are also busy monitoring early childhood education to make sure that it gets the attention it deserves,” he said.

The mayor also expressed concern about failure by some government departments to accommodate Tirelo Setshaba participants.

He said the town has a quota of 456 participants, and only 80 out of 183 that have been allocated have reported for duty at their various host departments.

He appealed to government and parastatals to absorb the remaining number.

He also revealed that the council was busy carrying out roads and streetlight maintenance in some parts of the town.

“Our refuse collection operations have been hard hit by lack of transport as our vehicles were boarded six years ago. But we are working round the clock to mitigate the challenge,” said Mr Matlhogonolo. ENDS