18 Feb 2018

Residents of Mahalapye have been informed that funds permitting, the 270 projects approved under Gender Affairs Department will be funded.

Minister of Nationality, Citizenship and Gender Affairs, Mr Edwin Batshu said on Feburary 15, that the approved projects would cost P58 million.

He said a total of 3 925 applicants were received by the department, and that rejected applications would not be taken into consideration when funds become availed.

He said currently his ministry was working round the clock to secure funds for the approved projects.

“We had run short of funds and the programme will remain suspended pending availability of funds,” he said, adding that his ministry was hopeful of securing funds in the coming financial year.

Minister Batshu further informed the residents that at present, the department had suspended receiving new applications for consideration due to shortage of funds.  
Mr Batshu appealed to those who had been rejected to remain optimistic and consider rectifying their applications based on the feedback they had been given and re-apply in future.

He said since the inception of funding of community projects under gender affairs department, to date more than 5 000 projects had been approved and funded.

Some residents of Mahalapye had asked the minister to clarify on what would happen to rejected applicants once funds had been secured.

Ms Efentse Rankgomo wondered if they would be allowed to tender the same applications that were rejected or re-apply.

She added that the process was costly as they engaged consultants to assist in drafting applications.

She also wanted to know if the ministry would consider translating the application forms to Setswana, as some of them struggled with English language and therefore engaged consultants to assist, as such incurring more costs in the process.

On other issues, Mr Batshu said his ministry was aware of the situation of among others, lack of office space at National Registration and Immigration offices in Mahalapye.

He said since the offices were housed in a rented premises, property owners should refurbish the structure accordingly and even consider increasing office spaces.
Mr Batshu said another challenge experienced by Mahalapye office  was that of slow and constantly interrupted network, thereby delaying service delivery.

Besides the challenge, minister Batshu applauded the office staff for being patient.

He also appealed to members of the community seeking assistance to give them the necessary support as the anticipated delay was not as a result of their laxity.

“Give them the necessary support, they work under challenging conditions and they do all in their power to deliver quality service,” he added.

To members of the public, he said, ‘respect them and they will accord you the same treatment’.

In his welcome remarks, Kgosi Tshipe Tshipe had informed Minister Batshu that National Registration and Immigration offices in Mahalapye were housed in a congested structure and therefore making it difficult for staff to serve the public.

He therefore appealed to the ministry to look for a spacious structure that would permit healthy working environment and even productivity.
The umbrella VDC chairperson, Mr Mompati Ntapu had also stated that Omang offices had a challenge of limited resources and personnel, indicating that the office was dependent on short term employees under Tirelo Sechaba and Internship programmes.

He also stated that lack of transport was a challenge and makes it difficult for the officers to reach out to communities outside Mahalapye.

Despite the challenges, Mr Ntapu applauded the public officers for committing towards timely and quality service delivery.

Mahalapye West Member of Parliament, Mr Joseph Molefe shared the sentiments with Mr Ntapu, who applauded the officers for their dedication in serving the public.

Mr Molefe further advised those who had not been successful in applying for projects under Gender Affairs Department not to despair, but rather focus on improving their project proposals and re-apply in future. Ends