29 May 2014

Deputy permanent secretary in Ministry of Finance and Development Planning, Mr Bob Mannathoko has urged residents of Lehututu in Kgalagadi District to take care of tannery buildings which were renovated through Ipelegeng.

Speaking at a handing over ceremony at Lehututu tannery recently, Mr Mannathoko said government had played its part, therefore it was upon the residents to do regular maintenance of the buildings as a way to make it an attractive business environment. 

The Ministry of Finance and Development Planning adopted the tannery last year. Mr Mannathoko said they found it imperative to assist the community of Lehututu to electrify the tannery as a way of paying back to the community.  He said the money used was from their own contributions as staff of the ministry.

He therefore urged the business community to assist in community work. He said even though the government was leading the race in ensuring that the Vision 2016 became a reality, the private sector should join the race.
 

“We are hoping that this leather project will create employment opportunities therefore consider it as a serious development”, he said.
Furthermore, Mr Mannathoko encouraged the management of the tannery to take a leading role in conducting its affairs in a transparent manner and always ensure good record keeping.

“Every leadership should be accountable therefore create a room for advice and positive criticism,” he said
Mr Mannathoko said companies were sometimes willing to help in community work but got discouraged when they discover that  financial management was wanting.

He said the challenge likely to be encountered was lack of quality leathers to be transformed into finished products while calling on residents to take care of their cattle which would be the source of leather.  

Earlier in his welcoming remarks, kgosi Kebapatile Montshiwa decried lack of trained personnel to run the project. He was optimistic the project would be viable. ENDS