16 May 2018

Many companies have stepped forward to be part of the Adopt-a-School initiative with hope of inspiring communities.

In his opening speech on Monday,  Mogoditshane sub council chairperson Mr Ofentse Mafoko applauded Food Bank Botswana which has not only heeded to this call but went an extra mile by introducing a nutritional supplement to all pupils of Moamogwe primary school in Mogoditshane.

He said the company recently introduced a high daily energy nutritional meal called FutureLife to the school.  The supplement meal is served every morning before classes start.

The meal however does not replace the normal school feeding programme but instead councillor Mafoko stated that the meal was intended to support the already existing feeding programme.

“The nutritional supplement meal will alleviate short-term hunger in school children and will help increase concentration ultimately reducing absenteeism by the pupils,” he reiterated.

The sub council chair has therefore encouraged other stakeholders to follow into Food Bank Botswana’s footsteps.

On other issues, Mafoko stated that clearing backlog on economic empowerment programmes was still a challenge.  He said out of the P2 million budget for this financial year, current expenditure stood at P95 623.75 which is about 4.7 per cent of the budget.

He further indicated that the sub district was still grappling with illegal operation of day care centres.  

To date he said 24 illegal centreshave been inspected for possible closure.  “The sub district has a total of 78 day care centres, 41 of which are licenced and operating, two are awaiting to be licensed while 35 are operating illegally,” he said adding that illegal centres posed health and safety risks to the children.

The council is set to close all illegal centres this quarter.

Commenting on road projects, councillor Mafoko announced that the council had been allocated funds to reseal some roads in Mogoditshane and a link road to Mmopane.  

Tenders for these works he said were at vetting stage and approximately 12.3 km of roads were expected to be covered. 

He said the resealing works were expected to start in the second quarter of 2018/19 financial year.  

“The Mmopane-Ledumadumane link road will also be done as it is hoped to reduce congestion along the A12 road,” he said. Ends