17 Oct 2017

Minister of Land Management, Water and Sanitation Services, Mr Prince Maele has implored members of Botswana Association of Tribal Land Authorities (BATLA) to reposition the association as it is now recognised legally.

Officiating at the 18th biennial conference on Sunday in Francistown, Mr Maele said the Tribal Land Bill that was passed in the last Parliament provided for the establishment of the association of land boards.

He said that meant that the association whether it continued to be known as BATLA or something else would from the effective date of the new Tribal Land Act be legally recognised as a key stakeholder in the administration and management of land resources.

He said the functions of the association as outlined in the bill were wide ranging and hinged on policy, legislation, research and stakeholder engagement amongst others.

Mr Maele said one of the critical functions of the association required it to continually advice the ministry and by extension government on any matters pertaining to land laws and policies.

He said it was commendable that BATLA’s 2018-2022 strategic plan espoused to do exactly what the bill required to do. He assured BATLA members of the ministry’s support in the implementation of the strategic plan under the new mandate.

“I look forward to seeing the ministry and the association vigorously working to complement each other’s efforts in the discharge of their separate mandates,” he said.

Mr Maele implored conference delegates to ensure that all BATLA members were informed of the provisions of the new law and their implications.

Regarding the theme: Mr Maele commended BATLA for choosing Repositioning BATLA to Influence Land for Prosperity and Harmony for All, saying  it was aligned to the national Vision 2036 of Achieving Prosperity for All.

He noted that land boards played a pivotal role in the socio-economic development of the nation as land, its availability and access had always been the cornerstone of the socio-economic development of all nations.

Mr Maele said land was imperative in the diversification of the economy, and that there was need for concerted efforts for the diversification efforts to bear fruit.

“As a nation we should explore and exploit the potential that our land resources possess,” said Mr Maele, adding that with diamonds being a finite resource, land remains the future hope.

He said it followed that land boards as custodians of 70 per cent of the land should take the lead in facilitating the diversification process, and that BATLA as a critical stakeholder in the development of the country should position itself in order to play a meaningful role.

On other issues, Mr Maele raised concern about undeveloped land grants, especially masimo, industrial and commercial plots. He said he was informed that some land boards do not even know the owners of the undeveloped plots due to poor record keeping.

“We have hectares of undeveloped masimo including some abandoned magola which land boards ought to have long re-possessed and allocated to people on their waiting lists,” he said.

Mr Maele said undeveloped commercial ranches, industrial and commercial plots were supposed to make significant impact in the economy by facilitating employment creation, poverty eradication and food security by being allocated to those who would put them to use.

“Our delivery as a ministry should not be measured by the number of plots allocated, but rather by productive levels and developments on the land which facilitate growth of the economy,” he said.

He reminded BATLA members that the ministry was also responsible for water resources, and that land boards should take keen and active interest on issues pertaining to the use and protection of the scarce resource.

On corruption, Mr Maele said land boards were perceived as incubators of corrupt practices and urged BATLA members to fight and dispel it.

“Whether it is perceived or real you should strive to fight corruption in all its manifestations, and zero tolerance for corruption should be key in the daily activities of the members within and outside land boards,” he said.

The minister also informed delegates about the Deeds Registry Amendment Bill of 2017. He noted that land boards had been issuing unregistered certificates of customary land grants, saying the act had been amended to provide for the registration of tribal land.

Earlier, BATLA president, Mr Julius Mokgethe said the two-day conference, which commenced on October 15, would accord members the opportunity to introspect and discuss ways to better their working conditions.

He applauded government for recognising the association through the Tribal Act Bill. BATLA deputy president, Mr David Modisagape decried that failure by the land boards to implement some of its decisions was because they had to go through the courts of laws. ENDS