09 Aug 2015

Ms Bashingi Theke of Nswazwi has had water connection to her backyard garden delayed, despite paying the requisite fees.

“I felt I should consult the Member of Parliament about the matter. Interestingly, I got assisted in the absence of the MP. The officers there liaised with the concerned office and I was finally assisted accordingly,” she related.

Ms Theke said she was impressed by the fact that she was never asked about her political affiliation. Welcome to the Nkange constituency office. Sitting a stone throw away from the Tutume Rural Administration Centre (RAC), the office symbolises the non-partisan spirit of national service. 

Ms Theke’s backyard garden is now up and running, and she has found a lucrative market within the village. 

She is not alone. Mr Tamisa Mosinki of Makuta village was unemployed when he visited the constituency office, and got advice that changed his life. He was advised to seek the intervention of the Social and Community Development (S&CD) department where he landed an opportunity of a lifetime. He was bankrolled to start a small stock farming project. 

The senior research officer from Nkange office, Mr Nkgano Kuswani, explains that one of the core mandates of the office is to serve everyone within the constituency irrespective of party affiliation.

“The office is open to anyone who needs any kind of help. We even allow suggestions from the community. That really helps us serve them to their satisfaction,” he says.

Mr Kuswani reveals that most of the problems brought to their attention are labour-related, mainly those of unfair dismissal, unsatisfactory salary structures and late payments. He also notes that they receive requests for clarification of civil and national registration-related matters, especially from people who allege to have long resided in the country without any legal identification documents.

Other complaints relate to delays in the allocation of poverty eradication programmes. 

Mr Kuswani says they also work hand in hand with the youth in terms of constituency tournaments and arts competitions. He says that they encourage youth to come up with viable business projects. He says that their role on complaints raised is to arbitrate, assess the matter and refer them to relevant offices.

“We do not command officers to act upon the matter within a blink of an eye as others might perceive. We liaise with them in a mutual way to see how best we can assist complainants accordingly and professionally,” he says.

Mr Kuswani also notes that they have a good working relationship with councillors from different parties. He says that they often visit the office to hear of any pressing issues and see how they can possibly assist.

“We have good rapport with all councillors in the area and when they come in here, we do not see them as people who belong to a certain party. We see them as representatives who are eager to serve,” he says.

Councillor Moseki Mathodi of Tutume West, who is from the opposition Botswana Congress Party (BCP), also attests that they work collectively for the benefit of the constituency.

“I have been working with the office since 2009 and our concern is to serve the community of Nkange constituency,” he says.

Cllr Mathodi says at the end of every parliament session, the MP for the area, Mr Edwin Batshu, holds meetings with all councillors to update them on discussions and resolutions made. He says councillors are also given an opportunity to table their views so as to map the way forward for the benefit of the constituency.

Nkange constituency comprise of villages such as Makuta, Nswazwi, Goshwe, Matobo, Tutume, Nkange, Senete, Dagwi, Changate and Maitengwe. Ends