30 Aug 2015

The Member of Parliament for Boteti West, Mr Slumber Tsogwane has implored government departments and private businesses operating in Boteti to procure goods from local businesses.

Addressing the Motopi and Makalamabedi business community as well as government departments recently in Motopi, Mr Tsogwane said the main objective was to boost the economy of rural areas by supporting businesses operating locally.

He said in an endeavour to drive the Economic Diversification Drive initiative, it was critical to boost small and medium enterprises which would further enhance the economy of the country.

He noted that during the beginning of each financial year, the government presented a budget so that it could benefit everyone. Mr Tsogwane, who is also the Minister of Local Government and Rural Development, said each department has a procurement budget that should benefit small businesses operating in an area and not big companies only.

Mr Tsogwane said it has been noted that many businesses operating locally have collapsed whilst some operate non-profitably. He said it was essential to establish the challenges experienced by small business operators.

The Boteti West MP said there was need to devise strategies that could boost local businesses. He also urged the business community in Boteti to have a market day.
He said the economy of Boteti and small businesses would not grow if there was no market day.

Commenting one of the residents, Mr Morris Ngwang of Makalamabedi complained that there was an extension office which was being constructed by a builder who was not a local resident, adding that there was also a destitute house which was planned to be undertaken by the same builder.

He also complained about challenges they go through when applying for a Public Procurement and Asset Disposal Board (PPADB) certificate. Another business operator, Mr Baeti Galekgorwe, who supplies bread to Motopi Primary School, complained that the selling price and production costs were not aligned.

In response, Makalamabedi Junior Secondary School official, Mr Bapaletswe Dimbo explained that with regard to an open tender, the PPADB Act stipulates that everyone could tender. He said the procuring of farm products such as watermelons were procured from locals.

He also complained that local business operators were not tendering, especially butcher owners. Boteti District officer, Mr John Baitseng said it was rare to see local business people tendering in the sub-district.

The principal economic officer, Ms Favour Phumusa said as the local government, through the Local Authority Procurement Asset Disposal (LAPAD), they try to buy from people within the locality.

Ms Phumisa stated that they procure goods such as the destitute food basket, school uniform, Ipelegeng drinks and bread from locals. ENDS