09 Mar 2016

The countrywide application of policies and programmes disadvantages rural communities, says Ngware ward councillor in the Letlhakeng Sub-district, Mr Ontathile Selatlho.

 He urged the government to review the practice of universal application of policies.

Speaking at a kgotla meeting organised by the district commissioner of Kweneng, Dr Temba Mmusi at Diphuduhudu recently, Mr Selatlho said the practice might lead to the failure of government policies, as rural areas needed a different and unique approach of policy applications compared to urban areas.

He said one of the issues that could be considered was to make working conditions in rural areas more appealing so as to entice civil servants who were reluctant to work in areas such as Diphuduhudu.

Cllr Selatlho also complained about the late payment of temporary teachers who were engaged at primary schools in the village, saying failure to pay them might lead to less productivity. 

He also called on the government to consider tarring the road that leads to Letlhakeng from the village as residents use it to seek services.

He was reiterating concerns raised by Kgosi Shaluka Dipina as well as the Village Development Committee chairperson, Mr Seitshiro Moroka, who both complained about the shortage of basic necessities in Diphuduhudu.

Kgosi Dipina said they were promised a vehicle for the kgotla and the primary school, but that the promise was never fulfilled. He also said lack of electricity has led to the failure to utilise office equipment at the school, and that the shortage of accommodation for civil servants in the village was a concern.

Mr Seitshiro complained that because of the size and location of the village, job opportunities were difficult to find and that this forced the youth into the Ipelegeng programme. He urged the government to assist youth in rural areas to register into tertiary institutions and the job world.

He said the reluctance of teachers to be posted to Diphuduhudu led to the school being handled by more temporary teachers than desired, which affects results.

In response, Dr Mmusi admitted that the road to the village was indeed bad, but advised that while waiting for any possibilities of a tarmac in the future, residents should keep the road in a usable condition through Ipelegeng.

He also promised residents that he would advocate for the clustering of backyard garden owners in the village, and to connect them to the existing water hole in the area. 

He said this was after the realisation that most backyard gardens failed because of the challenge of water shortage. 

Dr Mmusi also promised to discuss the other issues raised with relevant departments before giving feedback. Ends