04 Feb 2015

Kgalagadi District Council chairman, Mr Justice Nkwane, says he expects meaningful contribution from fellow councillors so that they can realise and achieve their set goals.

He said these words when opening a full council session. He said it was imperative that as they begin their journey, they had to go out to electorates to get first-hand information about the issues on the ground as they acted as a feedback mechanism.

The council chair urged councilors to work cordially with the administration in order for them to realize what they have envisaged for the district. 

He pointed out that there is need for extensive public education, especially on Government programs like Ipelegeng so that people can be informed on how they are run, adding that despite many welfare programs in place the district continues to register high number of beneficiaries. He said this increase impacted badly on the allocated budget.

Mr Nkwane said since inception in 2011 Social and Community development for Kgalagadi district was allocated more than four million, with 72 operational projects, four failed and 24 non-operational as at 31st December 2014.

He said poverty eradication programs mobilized in the district show promising results even though there are many challenges that impacts on service delivery such as shortage of staff, fewer suppliers with lower quality products and lack of transport which affect monitoring and evaluation.

For their part Councilors conquered with the Chairman that indeed for them to take the district forward there need to have cordial relations between them and administrators, adding that they should make friends with private organizations as they can help them with funds to carry to develop the district.

Councilllor Dick Kotokwe of Khuis/Middlepits said in order for them to carry out their duties diligently there is a need for incentives to lure civil servants to the district.

He also said that poverty eradication beneficiaries and YDF needs to be monitored if they are to be successful.

For his part Councilor Kemmonye Makatane of Kang North agreed with Kotokwe that projects needs to be monitored, saying it’s a big concern because ever since such programs were launched they seem not to be bearing fruits.

He said these is evident because numbers of beneficiaries keep on rising hence the district end up losing more money that can be used for developments.. ENDS