12 Jan 2016

Francistown East MP, Mr Buti Billy has implored his constituents to invest in shares instead of livestock.

Addressing a kgotla meeting in Donga, Mr Billy encouraged residents to buy the Botswana Telecommunication Corporation Limited (BTCL) shares that started selling from January 11 to March 4.

He explained that shares were better compared to livestock, especially in this era of uncommon weather conditions.

Mr Billy encouraged his audience to sell some of their livestock and buy shares, explaining that the minimum that one could buy was P1 000 and that each share was P1.

He further said 49 per cent of the shares were availed to Batswana while 51 per cent was for the government.

The MP said the shares were open for individual Batswana and 100 per cent citizen owned companies.

On other issues, the MP informed the audience about the Economic Stimulus Programme (ESP), saying it was aimed at addressing the backlog of projects created by the financial meltdown.

He noted that the stimulus programme would also create employment opportunities in the manufacturing and tourism industries amongst others.

On the Youth Development Fund (YDF), Mr Billy said a total of 213 projects were funded and that 48 have collapsed.

He encouraged those whose projects were approved not to divert from them as this creates room for failure and further encouraged the youth to service their loans in order for others to benefit.

Mr Mbako Nfila expressed concern about the rate at which youth businesses were collapsing and encouraged them to venture into businesses that they understand.

Mr Mooketsi Tekere suggested that the city council should conduct a thorough consultation with the residents of Francistown about the anticipated use of the golf course.

He said the city council should not consider a shopping mall for the golf course as they were already many malls in the city yet the population was low.

In response, the town clerk, Mr Lebuile Israel said the council has a dream of turning the golf course into a convention centre with the help of the private sector.

He said the council would consult the community about the design of the project. He added that it would not only change the city’s landscape, but also create employment. Ends