21 Jul 2016

Opening of border gates is derived from agreements between neighbouring countries.

Therefore, President Lt Gen. Seretse Khama Ian Khama said he would would liaise with the Ministry of Labour and Home Affairs  in order to start talks with their South African counterparts concerning opening of a border gate at Battle’s Drift.

The President was addressing a kgotla meeting in Mmaphashalala in the Mahalapye East constituency on July 21.

His statements followed Mmaphashalala kgosi, Captain Kemmapatse   request that a border gate be established at Battle’s Drift.

Kgosi Bagatiseng said they had relatives in South Africa across the fence that separated the two countries.

On other issues, President Khama applauded Mmaphashala residents for attending the kgotla meeting wearing Botswana colours, something that he said showed that they were ready for this year's independence.

President Khama donated 50 blankets to the needy and elderly, 30 chairs to the kgotla, 10 Bibles and a camp chair to Kgosi Bagatiseng.

Earlier on, Kgosi Bagatiseng decried that they had long waited for tarring of Dibete/ Machaneng road that was supposed to have started in March.

He said the project had not yet started, adding that they were now worried because they were often promised bigger projects that ended up not getting off ground.

 However, he appreciated government's initiatives that residents benefitted from. 

He also said the youth decried difficulties in applying for government initiatives.

For his part, the Minister of Transport and Communications, Mr Tshenolo Mabeo, assured Mmaphashalala residents that the road they were promised would be under construction by September.

Mr Mabeo said the 132km road would be divided into two: Dibete/Mookane/Dovedale road and Dovedale/Makwate/Machaneng road.

He explained that the roads would be done by different construction companies, who would have their camps close to villages so that after completion the camps would be used by village development committees.

He assured them that   government was working around the clock so that by mid-August, tenders for construction of the road would be dispersed with construction starting mid-September.

The Minister of Youth, Sports and Culture, Mr Thapelo Olopeng, said his ministry was aware that many young people had difficulties filling application forms, but assured residents that the forms would be simplified and would also have the Setswana version. ENDS