10 Jan 2016

Members of the community who opposed the name Lesenepole say they are taking the issue further despite losing in an election for the naming of the village.

Following a court order, an election for the naming of the village previously and commonly known as Matolwane/Lesenepole was done in August 2015 where 1 278 members of the community voted for the name Lesenepole and opposed by 504 who voted for Matolwane.

Commenting during Member of Parliament, Mr Prince Maele’s kgotla meeting held in Lesenepole, one resident, Mr Jobe Gareaitse said the district commissioner came to the village to inform the community that the village is now called Lesenepole.  

He said as the opposing Matolwane group, they will not register their plots until the matter is over.

He said as far as they know their plots are located in Matolwane not Lesenepole.

Mr Gareaitse informed Mr Maele to excuse the group that subscribed to the name Matolwane from registering their plots until further notice as they are taking the matter up.

He said after resolving the issue, his group will write to the minister so that registration could resume.

He further said people should know that the village may be called Lesenepole, but the main kgotla is called Matolwane.

Another resident, Mr Jacob Mothowaeng said some people think the area MP Mr Maele is involved in the village name issue.

He asked Mr Maele to inform the community whether he supports those who subscribe to the name Lesenepole or Matolwane.

For his part, Mr Maele informed the residents that he is not involved in the issue therefore will remain neutral.

He said an election for the naming of the village was a court order therefore cannot oppose a decision taken by the court.

He said the country is governed under three independent branches being the Executive, Judiciary and the Legislature therefore Parliament cannot interfere with the judiciary.

He warned the opposing Matolwane group that as they go on with the issue, they should bear in mind that they are delaying developments.

He said he is not going to side with any group as his duty is to bring developments that will improve the lives of people in his constituency.

He also raised concern about poor performance by Lesenepole primary schools in the PSLE examinations.

He said parents should inform him why their children are not doing well and how they are going to improve performance of the school.

Palapye Sub region chief education officer, Mr Otukile Kedikilwe informed the community that Lesenepole primary school is one of the lowest performing schools having attained 52.2 per cent.

He said the school did not manage to reach the 80 per cent target set by the sub-region.

Of the 37 primary schools under Palapye sub region, he said the school took the last position, urging parents to join hands with teachers to improve the school’s performance. Ends