29 May 2013

Government is committed to eradicating abject poverty, says assistant Minister in Ministry of Presidential affairs and public administration, Dr Gloria Somolekae.

She said that government is concerned that a large number of Batswana especially in rural areas live in poverty hence the first priority is to uplift the lives of those living in abject poverty.

Addressing Departments of Information and Broadcasting Services employees during a retreat at Botsalo Hotel in Palapye on May 28, she said out of the 2.1 million people in Botswana, 25 per cent live in poverty which accounts for 373 000 people.

She said out of the total number of those living in poverty, 45 000 Batswana live in abject poverty.

“The numbers of people living in poverty are a concern to the government and we are determined to change this situation through initiatives such as the Poverty Eradication programme which is a flagship initiative,” she said.

 She explained that abject poverty is characterised by three ingredients which include inadequate shelter, nutrition and clothing.

The assistant minister further explained that when President Lt Gen. Seretse Khama Ian Khama became President, he unveiled his roadmap of the four D’s, saying one of the D’s represented ‘Dignity’ among all Batswana.

“The motive behind the fourth D is to restore dignity among Batswana by providing those without shelter with proper homes,” she said.

Dr Somolekae explained that government has taken a decision that every year 200 houses are built for the needy.

She said local authorities have been given the responsibility to identify those that need shelter and give them the houses depending on the level of poverty they live in.

She said due to world economic meltdown that affected Botswana, government alone could not manage to build houses for many Batswana who need shelter due to lack of resources.

She also noted that ministries also introduced community service days to also help the needy by providing clothing, food and also initiating projects.

Dr Somolekae explained that through the poverty eradication programme Batswana living in poverty were provided with back yard gardens.

She explained the back yard garden programme was designed by experts from the ministry of agriculture where they determined the amount of water the gardens would need and the cost incurred by beneficiaries for using water.

“The experts who designed the programme established that people would use about P50 per month on water bills. The idea was that the funds would be raised by selling the produce from the gardens and using some of the moneys accumulated to pay water bills,” she said.

The government also holds poverty eradication workshops to empower and sensitise people on how to run their businesses or project, she said adding beneficiaries were also motivated and inspired to work hard. ENDS