28 Jul 2013

Residents of Kajaja in the Okavango Sub-district have commended President Lt Gen. Seretse Khama Ian Khama for making a meaningful difference in the lives of Batswana.

They commended him during a kgotla meeting after he donated blankets, shirts, sports kits, balls and chairs to the elders, the needy and local teams. They said President Khama had demonstrated love and compassion for the needy by restoring their dignity.

One of the residents, Mr Pinagare Diwanga said the President made history by visiting their village, saying former presidents had never paid them any visit and hoped senior government officials would emulate him by visiting them.

Kgosi Mothaedi Siana complained about lack of developments in their village, saying since 2007 not a single development project had been implemented in their village.

He asked for a primary school since their children travelled long distances to access education, noting that they walked as far as Sepopa and Nxamasera which were 14km and 17km away.

Kgosi Siana also requested a clinic since the mobile clinic only came once a month. He also informed the President that their village was growing fast, hence the need for a headman of records.

Another concern from the residents was the high number of destitute persons who were in need of houses, saying the problem was aggravated by the Foot and Mouth Disease which prevented them from selling their cattle.

Residents also wondered why they were not allowed to sell their cattle because their area had never been affected by the disease. They requested the government to re-consider the decision not to allow them to sell their cattle.

For his part, President Khama assured residents that soon they would access health services as a certain company in Gaborone had promised to build a clinic for them. He noted that the government was facing financial hardships and that the whole world was also affected. The President appealed to the private sector to assist where possible.

The Minister of Local Government and Rural Development, Mr Peter Siele agreed with residents that their village should have developments, but noted that lack of funds was a problem.  He informed residents that the government has resolved to increase Ipelegeng workers in areas which are hard hit by the drought such as North West and Bobirwa. Residents also learnt that their chief had been upgraded to headman of record.

For her part, the Minister of Education and Skills Development, Dr Pelonomi Venson-Moitoi advised parents to form a Parents Teachers Association in their village so that they could jointly contribute to their children’s education.

Dr venson-Moitoi pointed out that in other villages, parents had come up with some initiatives to address issues of transport. She advised residents to look into the idea of engaging donkey cart owners to transport their children to and from school, saying her ministry would pay the transport fees. ENDS