03 Jul 2018

Minister of Local Government and Rural Development has applauded Jwaneng mine leadership for its active efforts to impact on communities around the mine. 

Dr Pelonomi Venson-Moitoi said recently during the official handover of the P1.5-million worth of office block and a holding cell donated by the mine to residents of Tsonyane and periphery. 

Dr Venson-Moitoi said the project glorified Mr Albert Milton, Jwaneng mine managing director’s vision and patriotic compassion for communities around the mine. 

She said she was particularly impressed that the mine, working hand in hand with the Construction Industry Trust Fund (CITF), engaged residents at every stage during the construction of the project, which she described as an epitome of public private partnership.

 Nonetheless, she urged young Batswana to take advantage of CITF, a special fund that was established to address a critical shortage of vocational skills in the country. 

She explained that anyone could apply with or without certificates,  adding the crash-course centre used Competency Based Modular Training to train and upgrade the skills of artisans to meet the demands and challenges of the building and construction industry. 

She added that CITF also offered short courses in plumbing, painting, roofing and tiling among others. 

Thus, she encouraged young Batswana who are not that endowed in academics to take up vocational courses, register companies, use the Youth Development Fund to buy starter packs and create employment for themselves and others. 

The minister, also Member of Parliament for Serowe South constituency, implored the Jwaneng mine to share their social responsibility vision with other mines, especially Letlhakane and Damtshaa. 

She said the impact on human development could linger on even long after the mines had closed operation. 

Dr Venson-Moitoi further applauded residents of Tsonyane for their warmth in dealing with the project team lead Mr Tumisang Entaile. She said the project was completed within time and budget as a result of their cooperation. 

She said the journey illustrated the good nature of Batswana. 

She later planted a tree at the site as a memorial. 

MP for Kanye South, Mr Abram Kesupile, for his part, said the Jwaneng mine had over the years created a tangible, positive impact on the nearby communities. 

Mr Kesupile said the office would become a source of inspiration and dignity for Kgosi Seane Gopane, officers and residents. 

However, he said the roomy structure naturally called for more officers to be dispatched to provide various services to residents. 

On behalf of Mr Milton, Jwaneng mine senior security manager, Mr Thatayaone Kedumetse said the project was part of their efforts to build strong and warm relations with communities. 

Through the Social Performance Programme (SPP), he said, they envisioned harmony between the mine and communities around, adding that it was in line with Vision 2036. 

Mr Kedumetse further shared that through partnership with like-minded institutions, the mine had over the years implemented various socio-economic development programmes in the areas of education, enterprise development, arts and culture, health and sports. 

He said they derived business value from working hand in hand with communities, adding that a number of engagements were done before the project was constructed. 

Mr Kedumetse also revealed that the mine has invested a further P1.5m to expand a clinic in the village with a view to give residents access to quality health services. 

The clinic will be complete by year-end. 

The mine had moreover built another kgotla office block at Mahotshwane to be handed over soon and also partnered with the Department of National Museum and Monuments to develop a heritage site in Tsonyane. 

He said the site would leverage on the UNESCO registered sites such as Makgadikgadi. 

Deputy district commissioner for Mabutsane Sub-district, Ms Dintle Setlhotlhe also expressed gratitude that many people from the Tsonyane catchment area were engaged to provide labour, building materials and services such as transport during the construction phase of the project, which she described as ‘rural community empowerment at its best’. 

Ms Setlhotlhe said she was particularly happy that the Jwaneng mine gave Mr Entaile, an intern officer at the time, a platform to perform. She said Mr Entaile had testified beyond any shadow of doubt that if given a fair chance, intern officers could also perform creditably, thus encouraged government departments to empower them. 

Kgosi Gopane, in his welcome remarks earlier, shared how challenging it was for him and a social worker to share an office space. He said at times one would give the other space to deal with sensitive issues. Kgosi Gopane was also thankful that the Jwaneng mine engaged the community, every step of the way. ENDS