07 Jun 2015

President Lt Gen. Seretse Khama Ian Khama on Friday June 5 paid Ramaphatle a historic visit where he donated blankets and solar lamps to destitute people.

It was the first time that President Khama visited the small Thamaga/Kumakwane constituency village which was given village status by the government two years ago. 

The village lies between Thamaga and Kumakwane and is inhabited by over 700 people.

Besides the donations, President Khama also shared an evening meal with residents at the village kgotla. He also gave 10 bibles to a local church and a chair to the village kgosi, Mr Mmualefhe Dibe.

“I am very pleased to meet you because it is the first time that I have been to this village. It is my intention to visit every village in this country,” President Khama said.

In his welcome remarks, Mr Dibe requested for electricity connection to the kgotla offices and other infrastructure developments.

Ramaphatle Village Development Committee (VDC) chairperson, Ms Lesedi Rathejwane said the lack of electricity, equipment and furniture had turned the kgotla offices into a ‘white elephant.’

“The office has become a white elephant. It does not have anything in it, and has now turned into a storeroom for Ipelegeng tools,” Ms Rathejwane said.

She also asked the government to build a clinic and bring electricity to Ramaphatle. She said roads leading to the village kgotla and primary school should be paved because they were too dusty. 

Residents also complained about poor water supply. 

Ms Rathejwane said pre-paid water taps in the village sometimes did not function for weeks.

Thamaga - Kumakwane MP, Mr Tshenolo Mabeo thanked President Khama for visiting the village, saying residents of Ramaphatle had for a long time longed to meet him. ENDS