08 Apr 2019

Kweneng District Council, in collaboration with Business Botswana and the district commissioner’s office, recently conducted a two-day capacity building workshop for Kweneng business entities on procurement procedures and processes. 

Giving workshop objectives, KDC deputy council secretary Mr Tsholofelo Molaodi said the council had become aware of complaints relating to procurement processes, something they realised was due to lack of information, hence the need for the workshop. 

He said the council found it appropriate to empower the business community within their locality to recognise their worth and contribution in diversifying the country’s economy and employment creation. 

Government, he said, outsourced most of its services to the business community, through its entities, citing council as one of those.

He stated that it was therefore essential for the district to ensure that the services benefit the local community.

“It is for this reason that the district procurement structures are expected to capacitate the local business entities in order to have them empowered,” said Mr Molaodi.

He also stated that the forum was meant to reach out to the local business entities and sensitise them about available opportunities that can be used for self-empowerment. 

“It has been identified that the Local Level Consultative Council (LLCC) has Business Botswana participating and the voice of other segments of businesses were left out, hence this forum,” he indicated

About 200 business owners around Kweneng participated at the seminar as a strategy to reach a wider audience in order to facilitate stable local business enterprises.

Mr Molaodi implored the business community to read the PPADB Act so that they familiarise themselves with the regulations guiding tendering processes.

Kweneng Business Council chairperson, who is also a member of Business Botswana, Ms Precious Sibisibi commended KDC for organising the seminar on empowerment of entrepreneurs such as LAPAD (Local Authority Procurement and Asset Disposal), DATC (District Administration Tender Committee), among others to address issues affecting the business community.  

Ms Sibisibi encouraged the business owners to subscribe to Business Botswana as it can benefit them in buying products in some retailers at a discount.

She also highlighted that Business Botswana has a strong advocacy for member representation at LLCC, Sectorial Ministerial Level and High Level Consultative Council.

 “It is critical to have representatives in council committees in order to have input in processes involved as Business Botswana can be influential on policies and laws regulating tenders and more importantly to have more members for our voices to be heard,” she said. ENDS