04 Sep 2016

Councillors have been urged to perform their public roles in a way that leave behind a blue print despite the challenges and constraints they face every day.

Speaking during the official closing of Botswana Association of Local Authorities (BALA) National Members Assembly in Oodi  on Friday, Assistant Minister of Local Government and Rural Development, Mr Frans Van Der Westhuizen said the sphere of local government as a tier of government has a reputable history that makes all proud. “As we face the next 50 years, we are better armed in many ways than those who came before us were. We must use some of the best experiences and practices from the past to ensure that we take our country forward and improve the livelihoods of our people in the years that lie ahead,” said Mr Van Der Westhuizen. 

He further said in an era where foreign assistance was decreasing, they had to learn to minimise waste in their operations, cut costs and do more with less. He said the 50th anniversary of independence present a new development trajectory which therefore puts a baton for the next lap of race in their hands.

He thanked all the guests from different countries who graced the conference and applauded BALA for their foresight on the possibility of jointly running training programmes for members with Midlands State University in Zimbabwe.For his part, president of BALA, Rev. Mpho Moruakgomo said they were most grateful for what they had achieved as a nation adding that Botswana was a different and much better place today than it was at independence 50 years ago.

He said the national development programmes of the last 50 years had in many cases transformed the livelihoods and lifestyles of Batswana. “In our celebrations we have a moral obligation to remember and appreciate the foresight and selfless sacrifices of those who laid the foundations of this great democracy at independence,” he said. He told councillors that this year they would see the roll-out of the Local Economic Development (LED)Strategy in six new districts.

Therfore, he urged them to see the LED process as a dynamic process of initiating and driving local economic development and give it the seriousness it deserves.

He further the ministry in partnership with BALA had commenced the formulation of a robust decentralisation process for Botswana. “This exercise is funded by the Commonwealth Local Government Forum, while UNDP is providing technical support,” he said.

He added that the process of developing Vision 2036 was at the final stages and it was their hope that the vision would help identify key national developmental priorities for the next 20 years.

Councillor Moruakgomo said they were in dialogue with the Midlands State University to develop academic programmes that would equip both the political and technical leadership of local government with training that would capacitate them for the public and community services and leadership roles. 

Kgatleng District council chairperson, Mr Mpho Morolong said the assembly was a great success and a wide range of issues aimed at transforming local government has been discussed. ENDS