12 Jul 2017

Government has taken a decision that Legotlhwane be a recognised settlement and be declared a Tertiary IV settlement.

The decision followed countless pleas and efforts by residents to engage all relevant authorities to request the government to gazette their settlement which was established around 1900.

Legotlhwane lies between Toteng and Sehithwa just some metres away from Maun/Ghanzi road. 

Residents have been travelling long distances to access services.

The district commissioner, Mr Keolopile Leipego informed the residents during a kgotla meeting that government had finally responded positively to their plea as their settlement is now recognised and declared a village as per the National Settlement Policy.

He explained that there was a delay because relevant authorities had to follow procedures and policies before a decision could be reached.

For a settlement to be recognised, some factors had to be considered such as population size, economic potential, and availability of natural resources especially water to sustain the growth of the settlement.

However, he thanked the community for their patience and urged them to continue exercising it as the recognition of the settlement ‘is the beginning of a journey to bring developments and services closer to them.’

Furthermore, Mr Leipego explained that the decision by government meant that they could also benefit from all services rendered by various government departments.

He pointed out that the settlement also qualifies to have a headman of arbitration, a two-teacher school, day care centre, and security services but stated that they were blessed as they were step ahead in other services.

The settlement has a tented primary school which has classes from standard 1-7 and a headman of arbitration.

Meanwhile, the district commissioner informed residents that it was unfortunate that there was no budget for the said developments as the two plans, NDP 11 and DDP 8 were already under implementation.

He pleaded with them to understand that developments would not be implemented once adding that they would go step at a time if funds and resources permit.

Mr Leipego also noted that during the mid-term review of the plans, they would see if some new projects could be undertaken considering that the economy has improved.

He assured residents that relevant authorities would try by all means to secure funding adding that they would look at other programmes in place such as Ipelegeng and Economic Stimulus Programme (ESP) to see how best to assist the new village.

Residents learnt that projects such as kgotla shelter and office for kgosi could be undertaken through Ipelegeng if funds were available.  

Other initiatives to be considered include the constituency funding which Mr Keolopile said could be channeled to the construction of more classrooms and teachers houses.

Earlier on, the chairperson of Legotlhwane Action Group, Mr Mokenti Katimpa gave a brief history of the settlement noting that since it was growing fast the then elders grouped themselves and requested a school but they were unsuccessful.

Later, he narrated that they started a school through volunteerism and the enrolment was amazing. 

Mr Katimpa said a headman was installed and Village Development Committee was formed, adding that by then residents had hoped their settlement would be recognised.

He said at a later stage, the community stood up and engaged their leaders to facilitate the issue but were told the population size was small. 

He appreciated that although it took long but finally their plea had been answered. ENDs