18 May 2017

Assistant Minister of Local Government and Rural Development, Ms Botlogile Tshireletso has appealed to residents of Kaudwane and Sorilatholo to take advantage of programmes meant for Remote Area Dwellers (RADs).

Addressing kgotla meeting in the two villages on May 17, Ms Tshireletso said government came up with Affirmative Action Framework to assist RADs catch up with the rest of the citizenry by developing some special dispensation initiatives, such as assistance with livestock, special housing and assisting youth from those villages access tertiary education.

She however, warned them that the Affirmative Action Framework will be coming to an end next year as government believes the 10 years were enough to help residents of those villages stand on their own like the rest of the country.

“The Affirmative Action Framework was only meant to run for 10 years, to help you improve your lives. Government’s expectation is that by now you have managed to build on the special assistance such that you can now survive on your own,” she said.

Ms Tshireletso informed residents of the two villages located in the Letlhakeng Sub-District that next year they will now be assisted just like any other citizen without any special dispensations.

She also noted with concern, a tendency by the youth from these villages to squander their chances at tertiary schools, saying that most of them failed dismally despite government’s effort to help place them even when they were low on points through what was termed ‘positive discrimination’.

She therefore urged parents to encourage their kids to take education seriously.

She also informed residents of Kaudwane that there were 69 RADs in the country, which could sometimes make it difficult for individuals to get assistance they want.

For his part, the coordinator of the Remote Area Development Programme (RADP), Mr Samuel Rathedi informed residents of the two villages that government was concerned with their tendency to help non-RADs people use council boreholes to water livestock.

“Government took a decision to provide free water for livestock of RADs, but it has now emerged that you allow citizens who are not from these villages to leave their cattle with you, which you them water as if they are yours. This then means that the council ends up paying a high water bill for watering cattle for the wrong people,” he said.

Mr Rathedi therefore warned them to be vigilant and ensure that other cattle apart from theirs were not watered at the council boreholes.

For his part, the vice chairperson for Kaudwane Village Development Committee, Mr Thobokwe Selelelabongaka appreciated some developments brought to their village, such as the graveled internal roads although he complained that they do not inter-connect, as well as the high quota for Ipelegeng workers and the proposed police post.

He however, pleaded that their school is dilapidated and needs maintenance.

In Sorilatholo, Kgosi Olebetse Phemelo requested a deputy Kgosi as he said he was unable to take long leave days as people would have no one to assist them.

He also said civil cases in his village were pending because of lack of a court clerk.

Ms Tshireletso informed him that court clerks for RADs would be considered in due time.

In his vote of thanks, the area Member of Parliament, Mr Ngaka Ngaka complained that constant transferring of Social and Community Development officers at Kaudwane made it difficult to follow up on issues as each time officers would still be new and following them up.

He said this has led to slow service delivery, and pleaded that they be given a longer period before they could be transferred. ENDS