09 Oct 2014

Poverty eradication beneficiaries have been encouraged to find markets for their products. 

Addressing kgotla meetings in Lehututu and Lokgwabe on October 8, Assistant Minister for Presidential Affairs and Public Administration, Mr Gaotlhaetse Matlhabaphiri said it was important for poverty eradication beneficiaries to identify projects, which could best suit market demands.

He said government had over the years invested a lot on uplifting the livelihoods of its citizenry by initiating projects geared towards improving the locals hence the need for the benefiaries to fully utilise those projects.

The minister said government was progressing well in eradicating abject poverty in the country through comprehensive social protection programmes in place such as destitution programme, Ipelegeng and primary school feeding programme, all which enabled people to have food and live dignified lives.

The backyard gardens and alternative packages in remote areas settlements continued to empower remote area communities to build productive and sustainable livelihoods, he said.

“All the poverty eradication programmes will continue to be rolled out and the intention is for every Motswana to be empowered one way or the other, especially those in remote area settlements where traces of abject poverty are visible,” he said.

He applauded government for remaining steadfast in its goal of eradicating abject poverty among Batswana, but however raised a concern on the implementation of such programs saying that the projects have proven viable if well managed and monitored.

He said the success of the poverty eradication programs hinges on excellent team work, good social capital, empathy and the determination of public officers tasked with discharging duties geared towards eradicating abject poverty in Botswana.

Furthermore, he urged the public officers in rural areas to ensure that government poverty eradication programmes in settlements are well implemented and monitored. 

He further raised a concern at the delay in funding the approved beneficiaries after assessment by the social and community development officers, adding that there were high numbers of people who had been assessed and approved but not yet funded.

The assistant minister said his office was devising several interventions to continuously better the lives of people with disabilities (PWDs) since it was evident that some of them had not benefitted. 

The one size fits all poverty eradication packages, he said seemed not to benefit disabled people because they were not in line with some of their natural talents and capabilities. ENDS