22 Sep 2017

Botswana continues to celebrate the kgotla system which is the base of democratic governance.

Speaking at the official handing over of Boseja kgotla shelter and offices in Mochudi yesterday, Assistant Minister of Local Government and Rural Development, Ms Botlogile Tshireletso said Botswana enjoys international praise as the best example of democracy because of the consultative machinery facilitated by the kgotla system.

She said government recognised the role of the kgotla in nation building and that it continued to provide a platform for consultations on various issues such as developments, and governance.

“It is a platform for dialogue and where the spirit of democracy is upheld. We at local government take the kgotla as a foundation of national unity and sustenance,” she said.

The assistant minister said it was this recognition that her ministry would continue to improve the profile of the kgotla by maintaining infrastructure, rolling out Internet connectivity, availing transport and implementing building capacity programmes for dikgosi.

“It is commendable that there are people in the community who are still helping government with infrastructural development as government cannot do it alone, but need contribution from citizens towards community projects,” said Ms Tshireletso.

She commended Mr Rapula Moetlo and Boseja teachers cluster and the community for making meaningful contributions towards the construction of the shelter.

She challenged local institutions such as bogosi and local authorities in Kgatleng to build on what residents of Boseja had done and start new community developments and mobilisation initiatives for capacity building and community empowerment.

Giving the project overview, the main sponsor of the project, Mr Moetlo said the initiative to help his community followed President Lt Gen. Dr Seretse Khama Ian Khama’s initiative to help the needy.

He said last year when he went to Sojwe with President Khama he was touched by his words that whenever you find someone suffering, any help would be valuable to them.

Mr Moetlo said one day when passing by the kgotla, he saw the burnt kgotla structure and decided to lend a helping hand.

He expressed worry that Boseja was troubled by crime, especially rape amongst the elderly women “which is a very sad state.”

He said he believed that the kgotla shelter would go a long way in helping residents. He added that he used P153 000 for both material and labour for the shelter.

 He added that he would like to see the initiative continue even after President Khama had left office because it had proved to be a valuable initiative which benefitted the nation.

Representing the Boseja school cluster on the construction of kgotla offices, cluster chairperson, Ms Mmoni Basupi said each year during Teacher’s Day they have a project which they choose to undertake and they chose to build the offices at the kgotla.

She said they realised that many children got assistance from the social work office hence they decided to build the offices.

Ms Basupi said the office construction cost P135 000, and that they were assisted by Builders World, Chand Brothers, Botsogo Clinic, Marwa Investments, Saverite and Spar supermarkets, Feed Seeds, MmaMolwane, Rapula Plant Hire, Good Hope Supermarket, Sebele Shell Filling Station and Assemblies of God Church.

Giving a vote of thanks, area councillor, Mr Gomolemo Gouwe said Boseja continued to be a crime infested ward, and that there was need for police intervention.

He said they have requested a satellite police station in Boseja and were willing to house the police at their kgotla plot if they did not have a plot.

Councillor Gouwe said the first kgotla shelter was burned by a culprit who was never arrested and hoped that the same thing would not repeat itself.

He asked the Senior Private Secretary to the President, Brigadier George Thalerwa, who attended the event, to ask President Khama to visit their kgotla before leaving office.

He said residents would love to host him in their yard and receive gifts from him, as he has visited others across the country. ENDS