08 Jul 2016

The role played by dikgosi in the country’s development deserves recognition, says President Lt Gen. Dr Seretse Kham Ian Khama.

Speaking at a kgotla meeting in Mogobane yesterday, President Khama said some dikgosi have received presidential honours in recognition of their role in the country’s development.

Mogobane chief representative, Kgosi Nobi Moilwa had requested President Khama to bestow presidential awards on some paramount chiefs in honour of their role in community development.

He added that dikgosi were leading their communities, but were not getting recognition. President Khama commended the Mogobane traditional leader for his respect and recognition of the role played by paramount chiefs and other dikgosi.

President Khama noted that some dikgosi had received honours in recognition of their role in the country’s development. However, he noted that a deserving kgosi had to be recommended in order to be bestowed with a presidential honour.

Still at the meeting, President Khama instructed that Ms Kelebonye Josiah, who is living with disability, be assisted. He noted that there were various government empowerment programmes which cater for the disabled.

President Khama said although government officials tried to justify why Ms Josiah was not assisted, their justifications were unconvincing. Ms Josiah had pleaded with President Khama to intervene in her behalf, saying she was not getting any help from government officials.

She had explained that after being assessed under the LIMID programme, she was referred to the Poverty Eradication Programme, but that nothing has happened.

Furthermore, President Khama promised a shelter for the Borotsi Health Post following a complaint from a resident that the facility was small and that they wait for consultations in an open space.

The Minister of Local Government and Rural Development, Mr Slumber Tsogwane, who accompanied President Khama, urged Mogobane Village Development Community (VDC) members not to lose hope and think that their work was in vain because they were not renumerated.

He was responding to the VDC chairperson, Mr Funnel Nage, who had stated that VDC’s should not be referred to as “village parliament” because they were volunteers.

Mr Tsogwane further said VDC’s could not be allowed to build pit latrines in their leased houses as it could contribute to underground water pollution. During comments, one resident complained about delays in getting assistance under the Poverty Eradication Programme  and others pleaded for assistance for their football teams. Ends