08 Jan 2017

Somelo residents in the Ngamiland district have been urged to take advantage of government programmes to better their lives.

The call was made by Ngami MP, Mr Thato Kwerepe during a Kgotla meeting in Somelo recently where he said proper utilisation of such programmes would see the village economic status improving.

Mr Kwerepe who is also the assistant minister for presidential affairs, governance and public administration expressed worry over some beneficiaries of poverty eradication programmes who often run them down mainly because of alcohol abuse.

On the other hand the minister praised some beneficiaries who showed commitment towards the programmes.

He gave an example of one Ms Seabe Radinonyane, who received had 50 layers.

“Ms Radinonyane was able to sustain herself from the eggs and sell surplus for sustenance”, observed Mr Kwerepe.

Another resident was also given goats and sold 13 after the breeding period to build a house.

Ngami MP cited them as role models of how government poverty eradication programmes should be used and encouraged other beneficiaries to take care of their projects.

On other issues the minister criticised people who commit suicide saying it was a sign of weakness.

His words came after he learnt that a certain man in the village committed suicide after his partner left him for another man.

“People should not commit suicide when they are a lot of elders and pastors in the village to seek advice from,” said Mr Kwerepe who was concerned about the escalation of suicide cases in this country more especially among the youth.

He further advised the youth to respect their partners’ right to be with a man or a woman of their choice.

If your partner left you for another man, do not despair, respect their right and move on, he gave a word of advice.

In his welcome remarks, Somelo headman of records, Kgosi Mokhutshwane Komeng, noted that there was a need for public service employees’ accommodation in his village.

He said public servants who were supposed to assist with service provision were now staying in Maun because of shortage of accommodation.

“Somelo’s court bailiff and agricultural demonstrator are staying in Maun for example,” said Kgosi Komeng.

He also appealed to government to upgrade the gravel road leading to his village as it was in a bad condition.

The situation he said was worse during rainy seasons.

Kgosi Komeng further requested for connection of a second borehole in the village to assist water their livestock to relief the existing one during breakdowns.

He said they were signs that poverty eradication programmes were doing well in the village therefore thanking the government for these life changing programmes.

He said projects like bakery, tailoring, goats and layers were doing well in Somelo.

He further praised the government for building houses for the underprivileged in his village as the move had restored dignity among the beneficiaries. ENDS