13 Sep 2015

The permanent secretary in the Ministry of Lands and Housing, Mr Thato Raphako says he is happy with the progress made by land boards in the land registration exercise. He said this in an interview after addressing employees of Kgalagadi Land Board in Tsabong recently.

He noted that, amongst other issues, they discussed the land information system that would enable them to readily avail information to customers and reduce the turnaround time. 

The permanent secretary said he also told employees that they should know that it was up to them to uphold sustainable human settlements so as to make villages and settlements appealing. Mr Raphaka pointed out that there was a need for a dedicated work force which was willing to serve the nation helplessly.

“I am happy that the staff has promised to deliver and are ready to give our customers continuous service,” he said.

He said he reminded staff that they have to uplift the mandate of the government of creating jobs by, amongst other things, availing land for businesses. He said people should know that the land registration exercise was not meant to disadvantage them, but to have records and help land boards identify empty pockets of land.

“It will also help Batswana get services from financial institutions easily because they will be provided with authentic certificates. It will also reduce land disputes which are normally witnessed when parents passes on,” Mr Raphaka said.

For their part, Tsabong main land board and sub land board chairpersons, Mr Jenkins Hiri and Mr Tuelo Moseki respectively thanked the permanent secretary for having visited them, and for the support he is giving them in executing their duties.

They said they were hopeful that by March 2016 they would have registered all plots in the district, pointing out that Kgalagadi north was almost completed. They applauded village authorities for helping them carry out their mandate by always telling their subjects about the exercise and publicising it. Ends