11 Jul 2016

Assistant Minister of Local Government and Rural Development, Mr Frans Van Der Westhuizen has expressed concern that most youth continue to fight over getting opportunities from Ipelegeng Programme other than vying for sustainable opportunities that can best develop their future

Speaking at a Kgotla meeting in Mmanoko recently, Mr Van Der Westhuizen felt it was important for able bodied individuals to act appropriately and look for better avenues aimed to uplifting their lives than to rely on social safety nets.

He was of the view that individuals have to be seen doing something in complementing government programmes through other means.

The assistant minister’s concern was prompted by one Mmanoko resident who complained that she was being denied opportunities to befit from Ipelegeng because of the P1 200 wage she regularly gets for working as a house made.

Mr Van Der Westhuizen told the meeting that it was important for Batswana to find ways on how best they can improve their living standards, adding that the Ipelegeng wages cannot be relied upon but a social safety net that provides temporary relief.

Regarding the Mmanoko bogosi issue raised by Kgosi Tsiakane Ramosesane, the assistant minister stated that the matter was before the minister’s office and therefore it will be inappropriate to discuss it in such forums.

Regarding the P15 000 water bill allegedly owed to Water Utilities Cooperation by the Tribal Administration, the Molepolole/Lentsweletau Sub Council senior assistant council secretary, Mr Gofaone Kgabanyane advised that it was inappropriate for the Mmanoko Village Development Committee  to expect the water bill to be paid by the government arguing that the action will be setting a bad precedence as the problem of outstanding water bills for Tribal Offices was not peculiar to Mmanoko, but common to most kgotla in his area. Mr Kgabanyane disagreed with some complaints raised to the effect that Mmanoko residents have not benefited from Ipelegeng programme, saying there were about 35 operational projects at Gamodubu and Mmanoko areas, adding that they were currently working towards equipping projects for trained individuals before further training could commence.

Deputy district commissioner, Ms Boingotlo Ngaka advised people in farming areas to be encouraged to influence farming activities in their respective areas without expecting government to bring amenities to such areas as they did not qualify to be recognised settlement since scattering of resources remained a challenge.

Meanwhile, Member of Parliament for Molepolole South, Dr Tlamelo Mmatli advised district council to expedite processes of rescuing situations that hampers development progress in most areas as issues raised by villagers were prevalent to most areas in the district.

He concurred that sub council could not deliver to the required standards due the fact that they did not have enough resources at their disposal, citing a 1983 grader that cannot be used to arrest the situation in the sub council. ENDS