23 Jan 2017

The visit to Lekgwapeng ward by Member of Parliament for Molepolole South was recently met with frustration from parents who complained that pupils were sent back home because they did not have exercise books.

This issue was among those which topped MP Tlamelo Mmatli’s agenda during his visit.

Shortage of exercise books  hit hard on parents since they would have to dig deeper into their pockets to foot the stationery bill.

Although parents acknowledge challenges such as budgetary constraints on the side of government, they were irked by the decision by some teachers from the two primary schools in Lekgwapheng ward who decided to send back home pupils who had not bought exercise books.

Some parents pointed out that when the schools requested them to buy books, they cooperated while some indicated that they could not afford to buy all the books.

Also parents complained that almost at the start of each term, the school’s feeding programme was characterised by delays.

On other issues, residents complained of the long standing problem of water shortage and frequent power cuts in the area.

Some residents complained that Molepolole was lagging behind in developments citing that criminals were taking cover of darkness to snatch women’s handbags when they knock off in the evenings because of no street lighting.

The youth also informed the MP that they were making efforts to apply for government programmes but applications took long to be responded to and those, whom their projects have been approved, took long to get their packages. They said the P2 million fund given to youth constituencies was not enough.

Mr Cornelius Sesokela, a youth residing in Lekgwapheng, advocated for an increase to at least P5 million to increase the number of youth who benefit per year.

Mr Sesokela nevertheless encouraged other youth to knock on doors and get assistance rather than sit at home in vain. He has also urged them to try the new CEDA programme “Mabogo Dinku” which is a new programme aimed at assisting small businesses.

Responding to the issue of exercise books, Lekgwapheng headteacher, Ms Aisha Kokorwe, told parents that although council had not yet purchased exercise books, there was no rule that said pupils should be sent back home.

She also explained that if there was anyone who did that, it would have been done without her knowledge.

She however explained that council had given out a tender for exercise books.

On the issue of feeding programme she said at the moment schools were still short of some food items although feeding now includes two meals. She has also explained that council has given them a go ahead to buy eggs for pupils to supplement while they wait for the full menu to be in place.

When MP Mmatli responded to their concerns, he acknowledged the fact that the village was lagging behind in developments although the past national development plans have long included developments such as roads, sewerage system electricity among others but nothing has been done.

On the issue of frequent power cuts and shortage of water he said that the Water Utilities authorities have explained that the area does not have water because of frequent power cuts but he stressed that he will forever pester WUC to remedy the situation.

The area councilor Mr Fox Kgoleyamotho to some extent blamed residents saying that developments lag behind because they do not speak in one voice with their representatives at Parliament and council.

He said even during the president’s visits, they do not stress these issues enough to show how bad the situation was impacting on them as residents.

He further told them that he has requested for access roads and electricity at council and was told that shortage of funds was the problem but nevertheless, when the Molepolole Thamaga road is completed, there will have streetlights that use solar energy installed in the Molepolole-Letlhakeng road through Dithejwane. BOPA