07 Aug 2014

The Japanese embassy has donated five fire engines worth over P2 million to Ghanzi, Gaborone, Kgalagadi and Southern district councils.

Speaking during the handover in Kanye on August 5, the Southern District Council (SDC) chairperson, Mr Leach Tlhomelang said it was the first time his district ever owned the equipment. He said the donation came in handy especially for the fire prone districts such as the Southern, Kgalagadi and Ghanzi.

Mr Tlhomelang said in the past, three councils could not accommodate the equipment in their respective budgets as a result of the current economic climate.

He said the gesture would enable the councils to lure investors because securing the equipment was a priority.  “Investors always want to be assured that the engines are available to protect their multi million worth of assets in the event of fire outbreaks,” he said.

The fire engines would service major Southern district centres like Good Hope, Moshupa and Mabutsane, he added.

Mr Tlhomelang thanked the Japanese government for continuing to assist the country both at national and district level, adding that in the past the Japanese government had donated over P 500 000 to Kanye Brigades Development Trust (KBDT) to purchase a tractor and farm implements and also provided a volunteer for their horticulture project.

The council chairperson thanked the Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development for having directed the donation to the four councils.

For his part, Kgosi Malope II of Bangwaketse said the donation was a welcome development for a major village like Kanye with a population of over 40 000, which has been banking on assistance from Lobatse and Jwaneng fire stations situated about 45km and 90km away respectively.


 Kgosi Malope also thanked the Japanese Embassy for the kind gesture adding it would go a long way to assist in the event of fire outbreak in the district.

The Kgalagadi District Council chairperson, Mr Frans van der Westhuizen also applauded the Japanese embassy for the donation. “We could not afford the equipment in the past owing to budget constraints and literally prayed and wished that fire did not hit us,” he said.

SDC secretary, Mr Mompati Seleka noted that his council had paid over P463 000 for the shipment and registration of all the five fire engines, to be reimbursed later. He said SDC would get two engines. ENDS