03 Jul 2018

It is incumbent upon every Motswana to make Vision 2036 a reality, Ms Gogontlejang Phaladi of Gogontlejang Phaladi Pillar of Hope Project has said.

When addressing residents of Moiyabana and neighbouring villages at Moiyabana kgotla, Friday, Ms Phaladi challenged Batswana to play their meaningful roles, however minute, to ensure the realisation of Vision 2036 tenets.

To successfully realise the pillars of Vision 2036, amongst them human and social development, Ms Phaladi challenged Batswana to first own the vision since it was a consolidated book out of their contributions.

The outspoken young woman who exuded confidence and delivered her lecture with verve, urged participants at the workshop to develop keen interest in all national and local development agenda, issues and events that affected their lives.

She challenged Batswana not only to be informed about pillars and tenets of Vision 2036 but also to be abreast with National Development Plan inter alia.

She said that in being curious they stood to get informed to a level they could not only question those in power for derailment of the developmental course, but could also suggest on the possible resolutions.

Amongst a host of subjects she delivered to the participants of Mothamo catchment area, Ms Phaladi spoke against voter apathy and urged all eligible Batswana to register and vote.

She argued that it was only through elections that a voter would get their voice since protesting elections was not a solution.

In terms of social and human development,  Ms Phaladi challenged beneficiaries of government programmes to use them to uplift their lives and warned that abandoning such projects was wastage of taxpayers’ money. Consequently, she challenged taxpayers to monitor performances of government funded projects and act if need be so as to safeguard their taxes.

She said that government funded projects should be used to diversify economy away from too much reliance on minerals which ran the risk of depletion.

On governance, peace and security, Ms Phaladi observed there was need for fit and strong leadership especially at government offices.

She rallied the participants to keep a hawk-eye on those bestowed with powers to lead, saying leaders should exhibit due diligence, discharge their duties responsibly and lead with love and compassion amongst a host of likeable attributes.

The social activist called for a responsible and responsive citizenry that cares for its environment.

On other issues,  Ms Phaladi rallied Batswana to combat corruption and economic crime in all its manifestations.

She warned that corruption was not only limited to looting of national coffers, but also misuse of government resources amongst other things.

Founder of Tlholego’s Foundation, Mr Brian Tlholego of Motshegaletau called on all to unite and effect a difference in their lives.

Through his foundation, he has established youth committees in the Mothamo catchment area and as such called for respect and full utilisation of the committees in question.

The foundation that seeks to empower youth with survival life skills through workshops and community projects has been actively changing lives in the catchment area by way of donations to the youth and vulnerable members of communities in the area, the founder claimed.

At the same event, Kgosi Mokopakgomo Kgomokgwana of Moiyabana thanked the founders of the organisations that sought to empower Batswana and termed them a light in the dark.

Simultaneously, Kgosi Kgomokgwana preached peace and unity amongst his people warning that there were people who were hell-bent towards stoking instability and disunity amongst the people.

He called on such people to desist from their ways like harbouring animosity.

Although he conceded that some parents taught their parents right; he was surprised that the same children at times practice in contravention of their parents teachings.

“To teach peace, parents must first act in an exemplary manner,” Kgosi Kgomokgwana said and added that parents should endeavour towards ensuring that their children became beacons of peace.

Kgosi Kgomokgwana lambasted adults who sold drugs to young people. ENDS