24 Feb 2019

Mahalapye Sub-district councillors have welcomed the proposed development master plan by Botswana Railways that will not only uplift the face of the village, but will also create employment opportunities and diversify the local economy.

Addressing a sub-council session on February 21 , BR Properties General Manager, Mr Utlwang Golebanye said BR was currently developing a master plan to develop the 74 hectares piece of land owned by the company in Mahalapye.

He said part of the land was currently occupied by the company head office, train station, softball and football grounds, guest house and a club.   

Mr Golebanye said when completed, the proposed development would contribute significantly to the government’s roadmap of fighting poverty, creating employment opportunities and ultimately improving the economy of Mahalapye.

The proposed development master plan, he said would include among others, refurbishment of the railway station offices and BR club.

BR Highlanders and Rail Giants will also be catered for by construction on a mini stadium.  

“The development will improve the face of Mahalapye and we have proposed a retail centre (mall) as part of the proposed development,” he said.

Furthermore, Mr Golebanye said the development of a shopping mall was a development envied by the community.

However, he said since the project was not yet finalised, he was not in a position to give details of the proposed retail centre.   

Mr Golebanye said the construction of a mini stadia,  which was at tendering stage together with other additional developments at BR club were in the 2019-2020 budget.  

Commenting of the presentation, nominated Councillor Barulaganye Kgosana appreciated the proposed developments by BR, saying currently BR Highlanders was forced to travel to other places such as Serowe and Francistown to honour home ground fixtures and incur unnecessary expenses.

Councillor Kgosana said the proposed developments would also creating employment and boost the local economy.  

Councillor  Tumelo Koolekanye of Boseja-Flowertown ward appreciated the fact that the proposed development would include the demolition of the abandoned structures, which he said currently harbored criminals.

Mr Koolekanye concurred with Councillor  Kgosana on the issue of employment creation, adding that the development of the BR Highlanders stadium would go a long way in contributing to football development in the area.

Councillor Koolekanye had also wanted an update on the development of the Mmamabula – Lephalale (South Africa) rail line project.  

Nominated Councillor Bathonyana Bakwena has however appealed to the company to extend a helping hand in uplifting the livelihoods of the community.

Even though appreciating the proposed development, she said the company must reach out to communities outside Mahalapye through Corporate Social Investment.  

Councillor Joseph Tjienda of Mahalapye Central was of the view that the proposed stadium should not only cater for BR Highlanders as other teams in the village also envied such a development.

Councillor Tjienda therefore appealed to the company to allow other teams in the village to use the facility for free for their league fixtures.   

Responding to councillors, Mr Golebanye said Mmamabula– Lephalale railway line was one of the company’s priority projects.

It would be an alternative transit route for goods either from Botswana to South Africa or to other African countries in the north.   

Mr Golebanye also said that the stadiums would be used by the local teams.

“I believe a reasonable fee will be charged to help in maintaining the facility,” he said.  Ends