17 Jan 2018

Bangwaketse learnt on Monday that the long awaited construction of Kanye Stadium will finally start this financial year.

This was revealed by the Minister of Agricultural Development and Food Security during a meeting addressed by Kgosi Malope II recently.

Mr Patrick Ralotsia said that already a decision has been arrived at to construct the long awaited sport complex in the Gangwaketse capital.

The meeting was intended to brief Morafe on progress made by different Committees and Trusts.

Mr Ralotsia, who is also a Member of Parliament for Kanye North, however did not shed further details on the matter.

On others, Minister Ralotsia urged Batswana to plough sorghum and beans as opposed to maize because of their drought resistant nature.

That withstanding, Minister Ralotsia told Morafe of the impending visit by President Lt Gen. Dr Seretse Khama Ian Khama who will be stepping down as the head of state on March 31, 2018.

Earlier on, Kgosikgolo Malope II relayed the meeting was a platform to allow both the Show Committee and Bathoen Trust to issue reports on progress made and challenges thereof.

He said that it was his wish that the date for Dikgafela cultural festival be moved from the month of October to the second week of September.

“Despite harsh climatic conditions, we should start preparing ourselves for yet another year of a successful cultural ceremony,” he said.

In accordance with Sengwaketse culture and custom, Morafe learnt also that a regiment of people born between 1976 and 1980 will be formed during winter season this year.

For his part show committee chairperson, Mr Tiroyaone Mmereki said that his committee was running around the clock to ensure the district’s agricultural show was up to standard and in line with best international practice.

“Our constitution has already been approved by Register of Societies and we held a successful show last year,” he said.

Mr Mmereki however decried growing incidents of vandalism and theft that has taken place at the show ground.

He pleaded with Morafe to join hands with the committee and nip in the bud incidents of crime.

He also mentioned as challenges, unavailability of water and electricity at the facility.

Bathoen Trust vice chairperson, Mr Nwofia Dinake expressed displeasure that some Bangwaketse have taken to social media platform such as Facebook to register their discontent about the administration of the trust; something he said has the potential to scare away potential investors and put into disrepute the good name of the tribe if not stopped .

“Kgotla remains the only ideal and official place to address any matter that concern Bangwaketse,” he stated.

Mr Dinake said during his appraisal of developments at the Trust that his committee, now on its second year at the helm of Bathoen Trust, was grappling with an array of issues most of which he said were in a mess.

He said for instance that a number of reports/books by Bangwaketse Cultural Association which managed annual Mmakgodumo cultural festival on behalf of Morafe although raising eyebrows remained unaudited.

“We took a deliberate albeit infamous decision as the Trust not to host Mmakgodumo festival pending envisaged auditing of the books,” he said.

Mr Dinake said however that all is not lost as the Trust was working with shrewd members of the business community to turn Mmakgodumo area into a true economic asset for Bangwaketse. ENDS