12 Sep 2016

Southern District Council (SDC) chairperson, Mr Mephato Reatile, has reiterated government’s commitment in improving the lives of Batswana through various programmes.

Addressing kgotla meeting in Samane, Mr Reatile encouraged residents of the Southern District to prepare for the nation’s 50^th independence celebrations.

Mr Reatile said t the Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development‘s focus was on Batho Pele, adding that annually the Sout. He said over P26 million was spent on 5 376 destitute persons while P50 million was channeled towards taking care of orphans in the district. 

He said a total of 5 594 needy students also received a share of P9.5 million annually from the budget whereas more than P971 000 was used to take care of 318 needy children annually.

“Another P37 million is used for the Ipelegeng programme and this is to show you how the government is committed to improve your lives before we consider building any expensive infrastructure for you,” he said. 

He however urged residents to use government programmes.

Mr Reatile also highlighted that millions of pula were spent on ISPAAD but it was unfortunate that some people abandoned their fields after ploughing to seek temporary employment from Ipelegeng.

He cited that as a setback on the programme adding that it makes the goal to achieve food security unattainable. 

“Let us take care of the wealth of this country and leave a legacy for the coming generations by saving the scarce resources,” he said.

Mr Reatile also complained about people who abandon their fields to enroll as destitute persons, adding that government spends over P14 000 for every five hectares ploughed under the ISPAAD programme, hence the need for people to take care of their ploughed fields. 

He said the government has further introduced cluster fencing as a noble effort to encourage farming and increase food security.

One of the residents, Mr Odirile Moreputla advised that the Village Development Committees (VDCs) should be given powers to decide on people who enroll for ISPAAD programme and Ipelegeng programme to avoid the situation where people benefit twice.

One resident also suggested that government should consider drilling boreholes in their area to enable them undertake irrigation farming. ENDS