19 Aug 2018

Assistant minister of Basic Education, Mr Thato Kwerepe has acknowledged progress made by North West District Council on the establishment of Qorotsha settlement in Ngamiland district. 

Mr Kwerepe, who is also the MP for Ngami, together with some residents of the said settlement paid a visit to the site to appreciate progress and were all happy with efforts made and advised the council to fast-track the project.

The new settlement would be a home to inhabitants who are from the nearest ranches surrounding Kareng and Ghanzi.

The project has been delayed due to financial constraints and the challenge to secure water borehole at the site.

Currently, the council has de-bushed the area, constructed roads, managed to drill a borehole, tested the water which was certified to be clean and portable.

When updating the gathering, Maun Administrative Authority’s assistant council secretary, Ms Pedzani Mahama revealed that there was a lot of progress as they had secured funding to complete the installation of the borehole.

She said quotations for installation had been collected and awaiting assessment and a tender would be awarded.

In addition, she said they had engaged social workers to do mass assessment for those who would be relocating together with their properties to pave way for relocation.

The gathering also learnt that the council had planned to construct 13 houses at the new settlement and that the land board had completed the layout for residential and commercial plots.

Mr Kwerepe appreciated the visible effort made and stated that he shared the same concern with residents because the project had delayed for years.

He however acknowledged that there was a big difference as compared to last year where there was only construction of kraals and he encouraged relevant authorities to double their efforts and ensure the settlement was established.

He said the government wanted to see the inhabitants living dignified lives by enjoying services closer and also practicing and preserving their culture.

To the inhabitants, Mr Kwerepe urged them to play a significant role in the development of their village through the spirit of volunteerism once relocation was complete.

One of the residents, Mr Bathusi Mokoba wished the borehole installation could have been done first adding that if there was water, relocation would be easy because water was life.

He said they appreciated the drilling of the borehole and said their life had deteriorated due drought as they had lost their livestock. ENDS