07 Jun 2018

Rolong Land Board in conjunction with other stakeholders held a one day focal and consultative workshop for People Living with Disability (PLWD) from across the Sub-District to address the issue of inclusion.

In his welcome remarks, Rolong Land Board chairperson, Mr Nathaniel Motshabi said it was their mandate as a government entity to work with different government departments in ensuring that PLWDs were not left out in issues of land rights.

Mr Motshabi said the board was committed to ensuring that there was adherence to level of compliance as per government’s set standards for different services specifically for PLWDs.

He called on different stakeholders among them CEDA, LEA, SHHA as well as representatives from Ramatea Vocational School, Department of Social and Community Development, Ministry of Youth Empowerment Sport and Culture Development to address this issue together.

Giving the objectives, Rolong Land Board secretary Mr Godiramang Moepeng encouraged PLWDs to also stand up for themselves as well as changing their attitude regardless of their status as this would propel them to prosper in the global world.

“Indeed your attitude determines your altitude, and prosperity for all is what the government is committed to as it is in line with Vision 2036 pillars of Sustainable Economic Development, Human Social Development, Sustainable Environment as well as Governance, Peace and Security,” he said.

Mr Moepeng further indicated that as Rolong Land Board, they had a special dispensation in land allocation for PLWDs.

Services include but not limited to giving them priority in terms of their application processing as they do not stay on queues, he added.

He said since it had come to their attention that PLWDs worked closely with social workers, they now had a provision where they could allocate plots to them with a provision of written approval from the social welfare officer.

Good Hope Sub-district Council principal social welfare officer, Mr Merapelo Sengalo appreciated the efforts from Rolong Land Board, describing it as a positive step as they sometimes met challenges where they had to build a shelter for someone ‘who does not have a residential plot.’

Mr Sengalo further stated that they had about 97 PLWDs in the Sub district, who had benefited from different government programmes through liaising with other stakeholders advocating for their welfare.

One of the people living with disability, Mr Gobopaone Mosetlhi said he was a proud communications personnel for Lorato Disabled Person’s Society in Good Hope.

He expressed gratitude for the efforts made by the board to comply with government set service standards, adding that all government and Non-Governmental Organisations should continue hiring PLWDs in different fields to sustain them as well as improve their livelihoods. ENDS