29 Mar 2016

President Lt Gen. Dr Seretse Khama Ian Khama says the business community in the locality should be given preference in awarding food basket tenders to supply those who benefit from government programmes.

President Khama said this during a walkabout in Kedia last Thursday.

He added that tenders should not be awarded to individuals so that more community members could benefit. He said other business people could only be considered when there was no one to supply within the area. 

One resident, Ms Gaboediwe Deswi had earlier complained that all food basket tenders were awarded to one individual every year who was also not a village resident.

Boteti Sub-district senior assistant council secretary, Mr Onthatile Molelu also said due to some requirements, small business people such as tuck-shop operators were disadvantaged. He said there was a form that disqualified most small businesses from the tendering process.

However, he said a decision was made to waive such forms for areas with only tuck-shops for a year.

He noted that after a year they would still face challenges unless some long-term changes were made to cater for areas where there were only tuck-shops.

On the other hand, Kgosi Shimane Akanyang of Kedia requested for the construction of a road to his village to ease movement of the community. Kgosi Shimane also said they need electricity in the village and the expansion of the kgotla citing shortage of offices.

The Village Development Committee (VDC) chairperson,  Mr Obonye Lerako complained about the shortage of teachers at the local primary school. He also pleaded for additional classrooms at the primary school. 

Meanwhile, President Khama donated blankets to the needy, chairs to the kgotla and food hampers to children, among others. He also promised that houses would be built for destitute persons. ENDS