13 Jan 2015

Government has resolved to extend the duration of the National Development Plan (NDP) 10 by a year. Minister of Transport and Communication Mr Tshenolo Mabeo told the residents of Ramaphatle on Tuesday morning (January 13).

He said as a result, the commencement of NDP 11 would be delayed by a year as the government was still wrapping the NDP 10, which was initially for the years 2009-16. Minister Mabeo said this has been done to align the national development plan and the national vision 2016, which ends next year.

He said the extension was to allow for the finalisation of the Vision 2016 and to ensure that issues emanating from the vision 2016 informed the preparation of the new development plan.

Hence he told the residents that the one year extension gave the government an opportunity to fast-track some of the projects which were not completed.

Mr Mabeo who is also the area Member of Parliament told the residents that the last parliament session had concluded to exempt some food items as well as farm implements and seeds from the Value Added Tax (VAT).

He said among the reasons that influenced the decision was the government’s willingness to promote food security. The minister said it was important that the country was able to feed its population without much reliance on exports.

During comments, community members decried that they were facing challenges such as lack of grave yards and lack of access roads especially to the village kgotla and school.

One resident Ms Mmamosadinyana Ntshekisang said they needed a clinic in the village and said they had to go Thamaga and Mmankgodi for health services. Further, she added that they bury their deceased either at Mmankgodi or Thamaga although they were residents of Ramaphatle.

However, Mr Mabeo advised the residents to liaise with the land board and seek a place for the graveyard, adding that some of the challenges they were facing emanated from that the village was only recognised recently. ENDS