16 Apr 2018

Ward Development Committees (WDCs) are still relevant to community development as they were decades ago when they were conceptualised to move Botswana’s developments forward.

This was said by the Umbrella chairperson of Pelotelele, Area S, Monarch West, Monarch South, Monarch East and Selolwe WDCs, Mr Eric Mabengano in an interview recently.

“The Ward Development Committee serves as the community parliament as it is a link between the community and central government,” he said.

For government departments to know what type of developments to take to the people, Mr Mabengano said  they have to liaise with such WDCs.

“We are also the overseer of Ipelegeng in our respective wards and unlike political territories, we are divided by wards and not by constituencies," he added.

He said wherever there is a kgotla, there should be such committee available to serve its own community development.

The committees, he said are made up of 10 duly elected members by the public and the guidelines and policies were amended allowing such committee members to serve a three year term from the previous one year term.

“Being a WDC member is a voluntary job but we do get monthly incentives on scheduled meetings known as sitting allowance of P320. We are coordinated by councils under the supervision of the Social Welfare and Community Development Offices,” he said.

Mr Mabengano shot down the claim that these committees are for the selected few well known in their respective areas , explaining that there is no need for any super qualification or age restriction for one to join the WDC or VDCs in their areas.

He however said there were minimum requirements being that one had to know how to read and write and have no criminal record to be considered for WDC.

The WDCs umbrella chairperson stated that for their committees to bring about good results, it is always necessary that they work with other community leaders such as dikgosi and area councillors and Members of Parliament to ensure the smooth flow of developments to their areas.

“The cooperation is necessary to avoid egos and pride including the right judgement for community prosperity.

For example, our umbrella committees through our good working relationship with the Monarch Customary Court president, Kgosi Gunny Moses have been able to make real progress on the re-construction of the Monarch Kgotla shelter, which burnt down in 2015," he noted.

Mr Mabengano said all their six WDCs decided to volunteer in raising P400 each towards such construction because there were no funds to assist from the city council.

Mr Mabengano expressed displeasure at some few individuals who he noted used WDCs for political mileage to campaign for political offices, leaving some committees politically polarised leading to their dysfunction and failures.

Councillor for Monarch South, Mr Baboni Mosalagae reiterated that since WDCs are like community parliament, they are mandated to work with them.

“We are ex-officio members of WDCs.So we can attend their meetings as well. Also, any economic community development idea that we come up with as councillors, we share with our WDC members to see if such idea is viable before we take it to council for consideration,” Mr Mosalagae said. ENDS