25 Feb 2016

Mahalapye Sub Council chairperson, Mr Tassman Cebani says BotswanaPost has introduced ward payments on all social welfare payments.

Speaking during the opening of the sub council meeting on Monday, Mr Cebani said the initiative would cover cash transfers in the categories of old age pensions, world war veterans, destitute persons and the disability allowance.

He said it was piloted in Mahalapye and Shoshong kast year. 

“The overall outcome of the strategy is to reduce time spent at service points and early morning queues, reduce walking distances to and from the post office,” he added.

Mr Cebani said the grouping of wards, which was done in collaboration with village leaders and VDCs, took into consideration availability of facilities such as an office and ablutions which could be used during payments.

In Mahalapye, Xhosa 1, Mowana Tshikinyega, Dilaene, Borotsi, Botalaote and Boseja wards were identified, while in Shoshong, Kojane, Shoshong, Phaleng and Bokaa wards were identified.

He noted that the strategy was doing well despite a few teething problems that were experienced,  and that the initiative would be rolled out to Ipelegeng payments.

Furthermore, he noted that BotswanaPost also received funding from the government for the construction of a modern post office in Shoshong and the refurbishing of the Mahalapye and Mookane postal offices.

Mr Cebani noted that the adjudication process for the works was in progress, and that site handovers for the new Shoshong post office was planned for the end of this month, adding that the construction period for the project was estimated at five months.

He said the P2.1 million refurbishment of the Mahalapye Post Office, which commenced in December 2015 and was scheduled to end this month, was progressing well. 

He noted that the P1.5 million Mookane Post Office project would also come with enhanced security and improved office ergonomics as well as refreshing branding.

 “The works have also been scheduled for completion and handover in February 2016,” said Mr Cebani.

On other issues, he said it was an honour for their sub district to have been selected to host the national launch of the Economic Stimulus Programme (ESP) in Machaneng.

He said the 25 houses being constructed would bring benefits to residents and Batswana at large, adding that they should be elated by the prospects and the promise the programme holds.

He said through the ESP, the government was committed to use its expenditure to expand the economy through accelerated economic diversification while creating employment opportunities, including growth in the private sector.

The chairperson said in keeping with the government’s commitment to the nation to achieve accelerated job creation, the eradication of abject poverty and the provision of world class education and improvement of health and the well-being of Batswana, the Economic Stimulus Programme was a bold blueprint for the urgent delivery of national priorities.

Mr Cebani said the programme involves increased public spending on short, medium and long-term initiatives. He appealed to councillors to support the programme. Ends