21 Apr 2013

Residents of Nxaraga and the surrounding villages have been allocated over P40 000 by the Department of Wildlife to revive Nxaraga Community Development Trust.

Comprising nine villages, the trust’s main objective is to utilise the natural resources in the area with a view to develop the villages and empower communities.

Village Development Committee vice chairperson, Mr Geoffrey Manja said in an interview that the funds have been handed over and currently are in the process of constitution review to ensure that it serves the community’s interests.

The trust, which was formed in 2004 collapsed because of poor management, unclear constitution and members’ lack of knowledge.

Mr Manja revealed that the trust was formed by people with passion who unfortunately lacked basic management skills.

He pointed out that the constitution also had many loopholes.

He said the idea to revive the trust came following a plea to President Lt Gen. Seretse Khama Ian Khama' s visit to the village last year October.

 He said the President directed the Department of Wildlife to investigate the matter and see how best they could assist in the revival of the trust.

Mr Manja noted that wildlife officials visited them, looked at the constitution and noted that the trust boasts of necessary resources to be allocated finances.

The date for review of the constitution has been set and Mr Manja pointed out that they would attempt to align it with the model constitution designed by government.

"This is to ensure it covers the whole community."

On other issues, some Nxaraga youth have complained about lack of access to government initiatives geared towards youth empowerment.

They observed that no youth has benefited from the programmes and their applications were rejected.

One youth, Mr Morusi Tsutsube noted that the need to empower them to become self-supporting was one of the most urgent needs in the village, adding that they have brilliant ideas which they want to develop into projects.

He stressed the need for youth office to give them feedback on the state of their applications and state any reasons of the office rejection. ENDS