13 Jan 2019

Tonota MP, Mr Thapelo Olopeng says government has taken the decision to subsidise certain agricultural products in order to mitigate the effects of drought.

Mr Olopeng, who is also the Minister of Tertiary Education, Research, Science and Technology, said the move was necessitated by the below normal rainfall experienced this season.

He was speaking at a kgotla meeting in Mandunyane recently.

Kgosi Joshua Joel of Mandunyane had earlier expressed his apprehension that the country might plunge into drought given that Botswana experienced late and low rainfall this year.

On other issues, Mr Olopeng also challenged the youth to desist from dependence on government hands-outs, saying such mentality was wrong and would not take them anywhere.

He said the economy was not doing well and that government was going to experience a budget deficit of P7 billion in the next financial year. He added that it would derail government’s efforts to develop Batswana.

Kgosi Joel thanked government for the recently constructed kgotla offices in his village and requested for their air conditioning.

In response, Mr Olopeng said he would engage private sponsorship for the installation of an air conditioner in the office of the kgosi while other offices would be taken care of by government.

In Semotswane, the headman of arbitration, Mr Emmanuel Motswagole advocated for the position of headman of records, arguing that it was a while since the village was operating without a headman of records.

He further noted that the situation has contributed to delays in development as the headman of records was instrumental in bringing development to the village.

However, he thanked government for the construction of kgotla offices and other related developments in the village.

Earlier the MP had told residents that government has spoken strongly against people who politicise kgotla meetings.

Mr Olopeng’s remarks came during a kgotla meeting he addressed in Mandunyane in which a certain Mr Otshwale Ntshipa had accused him of a number of issues.

Mr Ntshipa had alleged that the MP did not attend funerals in the village and had failed to fulfil his promise of donating soccer balls and a football kit.

Mr Olopeng said Mr Ntshipa was provoking him in a platform where he knew he could not defend himself.

The MP said Mr Ntshipa attacked him in the kgotla on unfounded allegations and that he had realised that his agenda was nothing but political.

“There are platforms such as political rallies where you can attack me politically not the kgotla. Or you can challenge me on Facebook, I am available and I will be waiting,” warned Mr Olopeng. ENDS