16 Nov 2014

The rate at which government programmes fail to reach intended beneficiaries is of great concern to President Lt Gen. Seretse Khama Ian Khama.

Speaking during a meeting with destitute persons, orphans and the elderly at Sorilatholo in the Letlhakeng Sub-district on Saturday, November 15, President Khama said he noted the challenge just before the October 24 general elections.

He said that was the reason he informed cabinet ministers that they should to do more to ensure that services were provided to the nation. President Khama also raised concern at the high rate of accidents involving government vehicles, especially ambulances, noting that it affected service delivery.

He said he would discuss the issue with the Minister of Health to ensure that due diligence was exercised in handling government vehicles.  President Khama noted that the one vehicle per village initiative he started in 2008 when he assumed the presidency could not be fully realised as it was affected by the global economic recession.

He promised that the initiative would be revived next year as the economy was showing signs of recovery.  President Khama also promised residents that he would follow up the issue of a lack of kgosi in their village as well as other issues raised such as the poor condition of the Khudumelapye-Sorilatholo road.

The chairperson of the Sorilatholo Village Development Committee (VDC), Mr Thatayaone Tibisane had informed President Khama that government programmes were not reaching their village at the desired rate. 

Mr Tibisane cited the poverty eradication programme, saying most beneficiaries were trained but still awaiting equipment for their projects.  He said only beneficiaries who applied for small stock had been assisted although some were still on the waiting list.

He said most people, especially the youth ended up abandoning projects because they were not assisted with transport under the affirmative action arrangement. Kweneng District Council secretary, Mr Wazha Tema said they were aware of programmes implementation failure in the area. 

He said this was because most people preferred small stock in as they perform well in the area.  He said this ended up creating shortage of small stock in the area, but promised that they would find a way to assist those in the waiting list.

Mr Tema also informed residents that a social and community development officer for their area would report for duty on December 1.

In his welcome remarks, Kgosi Edwin Ramokobetwane of Khudumelapye informed President khama that they have long submitted a name of a candidate to take over the reign after the passing away of the village’s kgosi early this year.

He said the absence of a kgosi was overwhelming as he was now serving two villages. Kgosi Ramokobetwane also decried the high rate of criminal activities in Sorilatholo. President Khama donated food, Bibles, solar powered lights and soccer kits to various people in the village. ENDS