01 Jul 2014

The Southern District Council chairperson, Mr Leach Tlhomelang says the latest visitations by the Chobe and South East South districts delegations on bench-marking missions is a clear testimony that his council is doing something right.

“The bench marking missions clearly show that people are now taking notice of the good work that we do for the community that we serve,” he said. Mr Tlhomelang said the construction of Mongala Mall, through a Public Private Partnership (PPP) initiative, was a first for local authorities.

Besides creating employment, he said the mall had brought services closer to the people and would go a long way in creating wealth for the district.  He noted that they had an array of initiatives whereby the council leadership plays a facilitative role such as encouraging land boards to expedite land allocation to potential businesses to set-up within the district.

The council, he said also urged people with idle ploughing land to lease it to willing farmers. He cited the slaughter facility that is run by private business and food processing courtesy of National Food Technology Research Centre (NFTRC) and many others as among facilities that have caught the eye of many councils throughout the country.

The head of the South East South delegation that went on the bench marking exercise, Mr Stephen Motlogelwa said they chose the Southern District Council because of its notable achievements.

He said they were especially intrigued by the Public Private Partnership which gave birth to Mongala Mall, adding that they harbour the ambition to engage in a similar project in their district.

“We intend to start with Tlokweng and thereafter roll out the initiative to other areas within our district,” he said.

He said it was logical that they learn one or two tricks from the Southern District Council which he commended for being smart in the way it has conducted itself despite tough economic times.

The wealth of experience they have garnered from Southern District, he said would help them avoid pit falls and ensure that they become successful in their planned business undertaking.

“We will engage in negotiations fully prepared and we are indebted to the assistance the  Southern district has accorded us,” he said. ENDS