17 Dec 2014

The director of local government and development planning, Ms Ofentse Modisa has praised Chanoga community for reviving the spirit of volunteerism and self-reliance, which has been slowly fading away in other villages.

Speaking during the handover of a two and half bedroomed house to the Motho family in Chanoga, Ms Modisa said the community had revived the spirit of giving, which was practised in the past and urged the nation at large to trace their roots and complement each other.

The house was built by Ipelegeng employees with the support of the community, businesses and North West District Council. Ms Modisa said the community had demonstrated love, compassion and commitment towards transforming the lives of the less privileged in the society.

She said what the community did indicated that they had a clear vision and willing to transform the image of their village through the spirit of self-reliance. “We are proud of what Ipelegeng employees have done in the village as they did not look at their backgrounds but played their part towards the realisation of vision 2016,” she added.

Ms Modisa said that every month, the Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development gives a report on the progress of the Ipelegeng programme adding that Ipelegeng beneficiaries have proven that the programme indeed could produce the expected results.

Although Ipelegeng is not a permanent job ,she said, the employees responded positively to the President plea of housing the needy society and also proved to the nation that indeed Ipelegeng means volunteerism and self-reliance.

She said the programme was marred by criticism from some people, but “I am happy to learn that some people appreciate the benefits of the programme.” The employees, she asserted managed that through team work within the village, as some individuals played a voluntary role towards the success of the project.

Giving an overview of the project, Ipelegeng chairperson, Mr Modumedi Pelontle applauded the government to have introduced the programme and encouraged Batswana to take advantage of it in order to earn a living.

He said employees wanted to play a part in the realisation of vision 2016 hence they came up with an idea of building a house to the elderly couple who do not have a proper shelter.

Mr Pelontle said what they did was in line with one of the pillars of Vision 2016, which calls for all to be compassionate and care for the less fortunate in the society.

“We as the employees agreed to contribute P10 every month and approached village leaders and Ipelegeng coordinators who assured us of their great support towards the success of our project,” he added.

For his part, the deputy council chairperson, Mr Lathang Molonda said the council prides itself with efforts made by the community, adding that the donation would store dignity of the family

He said the poverty eradication seminar which was held last year in Chanoga was meant to change their mind set to stop looking up to the government for assistance. Mr Molonda commended the employees for prudently utilising the little they earned and hoped other villages would emulate them. ENDS