05 Mar 2017

Metsibotlhoko youth have been encouraged to take advantage of President Lt Gen. Dr Seretse Khama Ian Khama’s kgotla meetings to seek assistance on projects related matters.
Addressing a kgotla meeting in Metsibotlhoko on March 2, President Khama said given the presence of the Minister of Youth Empowerment, Sport and Culture Development at the meeting, they should feel free to discuss ideas which they might want to pursue as business ventures.
“Make use of this meeting to touch base with the minister and share with him what you might want to do,” he said.
The President also donated chairs, blankets, Bibles and football kit. In his welcome remarks, Kgosi Ofentse Moatsheng commended the President for the Ipelegeng programme which he said was yielding results.
He said through the programme, Metsibotlhoko community was able to build a shelter for the Kgotla and tribal offices at the same time creating employment.
Kgosi Moatsheng also hailed the Presidential Housing Appeal initiative saying it has been able to give its beneficiaries some dignity. He said the initiative has made some strides in transforming people’s lives.
On issues of development, Kgosi Moatsheng requested that the kgotla be upgraded from arbitration to court of records.
He also cited challenges of water shortage in the village, making it difficult for them to use toilet facilities both at the kgotla and primary school.
Kgosi Moatsheng said his village lagged behind in terms of infrastructural development adding that even in the proposed District Development Plan 8, no project has been earmarked for the village.
For his part, the Village Development Committee representative, Mr Thulaganyo Phori requested for additional classroom blocks at the local primary school. He said the school currently has three classrooms while other classes are taught in a school hall.
“There is no staff room and the head teacher does not even have an office. She uses a storeroom as a makeshift office,” he said.
He said lack of developments including electricity has made officers shun working in Metsibotlhoko.
In response to concerns raised by residents, Minister of Mineral Resources, Green Technology and Energy Security Advocate Sadique Kebonang said a programme was in place to electrify villages.
He said funds permitting, the village would be included pleading with them to exercise patience.
He said where possible they would be provided with solar electricity.
Youth minister, Mr Thapelo Olopeng said the intention of his ministry was to come up with programmes tailored for youth.
He said the youth should be able to take advantage of natural resources within their proximity.
He was responding to one youth, Dibomo Kefentse who was complaining that despite the village being blessed with a pan, the youth could not use it to their advantage.
Minister Olopeng said it was a pity that most youth did not have patience especially for ventures such as farming which they could be taking advantage of to uplift their lives.
While it was evident that residents were not happy with services provided by the Social and Community Development office, the MP for Takatokwane, Mr Ngaka Ngaka in his closing remarks pleaded with Minister of Local Government and Rural Development, Mr Slumber Tsogwane to keep a close eye at the office. ENDS