03 Feb 2019

Member of Parliament for Francistown South, Mr Wynter Mmolotsi, says government encourages Batswana to venture into agro-tourism because it presents new opportunities.

Mr Mmolotsi said this during a kgotla meeting in Francistown recently, where he explained that such business opportunities were reserved for Batswana.

The MP encouraged residents to open guest houses and camp sites while rearing animals that would impress tourists.

MP Mmolotsi also informed residents of bills that would be tabled in parliament later this year; citing the collateral register, which would allow Batswana to use other resources or their properties other than houses and buildings as security in getting loans from banks.

He explained that the bill would allow Batswana to use their cattle and farm produce as security.

Mr Mmolotsi stated that another act that would be amended this year was the Marriage Act of 2001 that excluded traditional marriages and religious marriages.

He stated that it would be amended to recognise those marriages.

A resident of Somerset East, Mr Goitse Majumane, said government should consider drilling boreholes near their farms so that they could plough throughout the year without having to wait for rain.

Mr Majumane also wanted clarity on whether village development committee members were allowed to take part in active politics.

Another resident, Mr Moagi Monyatsi wanted to know if the EVM machine would be used in the upcoming general elections.

Responding to Mr Majumane, the MP explained that a proposal was submitted to government concerning food production, adding that Batswana were not producing their own food due to unavailability of water.

Mr Mmolotsi emphasised that Batswana who desired to plough would be afforded an opportunity by having access to boreholes.

He also explained that the law allowed VDC members to stand for political office, and if they win, they were required to step down from their VDC position.

He informed the meeting that the decision to use the EVM machine during the general elections had been reversed. ENDS