21 Sep 2016

The Kgatleng District through the Department of Social Welfare and Community Development provided safety nets to 5527 clients.

Speaking during a full council session on September 19, the council chairperson of Kgatleng District, Mpho Morolong said the department offered safety nets to  1488 destitute persons,1586 needy students,1178 orphans,1148 cost sharing,16 community home based care and 111 children in need of care.

Mr Morolong said there is still a high number of people coming forward looking for assistance, “a worrisome trend that I hope shall decrease as more people enrol in the poverty eradication initiatives of government”.

On the issue concerning Pyscho-social support, councillor Morolong said Kgatleng District has managed to send five therapists on Earth Therapy training at Motlhabaneng in the Bobirwa Sub-district adding that the training will guide the therapists in providing a more modern pyscho-social support system for the affected people.

On other issues, the council chairperson said a total of 14 596.60 hectares have been planted by 3 853 farmers for 2015/2016 noting that currently farmers are still threshing cereals, the total production of 209.3 tons have been harvested in 1174.7 hectares by 1522 farmers.

He also said the grazing area is greatly depleted following the previous scanty rains such that livestock has started deteriorating in body condition adding that currently the main sources of water are boreholes and parts of the river and Bokaa dam.

Mr Morolong said importation of potatoes, onions, cabbage and lettuce has been restricted because “our local farmers are able to supply the market and also that the Agric Business office is assisting them with sorting,grading,packaging and labelling as this will help grow their businesses”.

Moreover he said a total of over P3 million has been disbursed for backlog eradication of which funds amounting to over P2. 7million was spent adding that since the release of funds the district managed to train 242 beneficiaries and partially funded 18 beneficiaries.

He also mentioned that the Presidential housing appeal initiative is also doing well in the district noting that 5 housing units have been constructed at Kgomodiatshaba and were handed to beneficiaries on August 24 adding that another house was also handed to beneficiaries at Phaphane which was donated by Mochudi police.

He applauded the business community, non-governmental Organizations and individuals in taking an active role in the social upliftment of the less fortunate people in the district. Ends