03 Mar 2015

Jwaneng Town Clerk, Mr Dick Kalantle says the idea to procure protective clothing for Ipelegeng workers was not viable considering other competing needs.

Speaking at a special full council meeting for Ipelegeng project memorandum presentation recently, Mr Kalantle said it would not be sustainable for the council to provide such because Ipelegeng workers worked on monthly rotational basis.

“Ipelegeng is not a job but a deliberate relief initiative that seeks to give beneficiaries a chance to relieve themselves of poverty challenges.”

He was responding to Mogale ward councillor, Mr Ronicah Ntsimako’s request for Ipelegeng employees to be provided with protective clothing. 

Mr Ntsimako had argued that it was essential for Ipelegeng workers to be supplied with protective clothing as they worked in harsh conditions that put their health at risk.

Another councillor for Seole ward, Mr Obed Monkge decried low pay to Ipelegeng workers, arguing it did not match the high inflation rate hence the current P510 should be revised. 

Nominated Cllr, Ms Olga Ditsie said there was need for Jwaneng to come up with sustainable projects that could further improve the livelihoods of Batswana. 

She also decried the deplorable state of Jwaneng and asked the council to consider landscaping to beautify the town. 

In response, the Town Clerk affirmed that the council seniors were equally concerned about the awful state of the town and would do something about it. 

On other issues, Ipelegeng programme coordinator, Mr Thuso Makanye said the Green Scorpion project which aimed at collecting litter and waste disposal had managed to employ a total of 277 people on a monthly basis for a period of 12 months.

That, Mr Makanye said translated to 3 324 beneficiaries engaged cumulatively in a year. ENDS