20 May 2013

Tlokweng residents have hailed government's decision to introduce integrated farming.

They expressed their views during a meeting addressed by South East North MP, Mr Olebile Gaborone in Tlokweng on May 17. Endorsing the new land management dispensation, residents said the changes would enable them to fully reap the benefits of their farming land.

Some however argued that government should consider creating access roads to the fields as well as providing other necessities such as electricity. Mr Gaborone, also acting Minister of Local Government and Rural Development, promised residents that he would avail more information about the changes at his office so that whoever wanted clarity during his absence could browse.

He said this would also help residents to find out which projects were allowed to be carried out and under which conditions. Under the new arrangement, he said farmers would not have to apply for agricultural activities in their land as long as they had fenced the area and such activities were within the law.

Mr Gaborone said government introduced the changes so that Batswana could carry out different activities at their fields. Considering that the country’s population was growing, he said it was necessary for government to come up with the changes to avoid a situation where a person would be forced to have various places for various farming activities.

On other issues, the acting minister told residents that the problem of storm water drainage would be attended before end of the ongoing internal roads projects. He further said they were still awaiting the contractor involved in the project to map out the compensation model for residents whose houses experienced defects during the project.

For his part, Batlokwa deputy chief, Kgosi Michael Gaborone complained that Tlokweng had turned into a dumping site as constructors and individuals dumped litter in the area. Kgosi Gaborone decried that such culprits came as far as Gaborone and Kgatleng District.

He further complained of the tribal administration officers, saying they had not been guarded at night since the local police relocated to Botswana Police Service. Kgosi Gaborone further appealed to the government to assist in curbing the problem of residents selling plots in the area.

For his part, Councillor Dichabe Seitshiro appealed to residents to develop the habit of attending meetings such as sub-council, full council and kgotla meetings to get feedback from their leaders. ENDS