11 Jan 2015

The Minister for Presidential Affairs and Public Administration, Mr Eric Molale has urged the Tati East District leadership to come up with one vision for the district.

Speaking at the Tati East District leadership forum organised by the area MP, Mr Guma Moyo recently, Mr Molale said it was important for the council and the district administration to have a common vision.

He added that the district’s vision should be premised on existing resources.

Mr Molale noted that when the district’s vision was based on existing resources, it would be easy for each district to attain its vision without depending on the government.

The minister said it was important for each district to identify its strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats prior to drawing up its vision.

On other issues, he encouraged unity among politicians despite their political affiliation when planning for developments in the district, adding that politics should not be a barrier to the quest for developments.

He noted that if the quest for developments was not met, challenges such as poverty, unemployment, low productivity and low morale would emanate.

Outlining the objectives of the forum, Mr Moyo said the forum, which he organises after every general election, provides an opportunity for the constituency leadership to forge a way forward for developments.

He said it was not honourable to ask for votes and afterwards to neglect the people.

Mr Moyo said through the forum, all stakeholders get the opportunity to reflect on progress made regarding the National Development Plan (NDP) and District Development Plan (DDP).

“As the area MP, I want to ensure a coordinated effort in the delivery of development programmes and services that are espoused in the NDPs as well as work with other leaders in the constituency towards making services available and accessible to my constituents,” he said.

Mr Moyo said the forum also aims to promote a working relationship between all leaders such as dikgosi, Village Development Committees (VDCs) and Village Extension Teams (VETs).

He noted that when the government has good plans, policies and schemes such as the Economic Diversification Drive (EDD) implementation would be an illusion when there was no unity between all stakeholders.

North East District council (NEDC) chairperson, Councillor Florah Mpetsane said the forum was part of democracy, which was a cornerstone of governance.

“It will also give us a chance to establish whether we are still in the right path to achieve Vision 2016 pillars,” said Ms Mpetsane, who is a councillor for Matsiloje.

She urged stakeholders to contribute ideas that would ensure progress of the nation. ENDS