29 Apr 2019

 Residents of Khurumela ward in Palapye have commended government for the development of their locality and Palapye in general.  

They expressed this during a kgotla meeting addressed by Assistant Minister of Investment Trade and Industry Mr Moiseraele Goya who is also Palapye MP recently.  

The umbrella Village Development Committee (VDC) chairperson Mr Kelatlhegile Gontse reported that paving of internal roads through constituency funds was in progress while a kgotla shelter at Makabi ward was under construction. 

Also in progress, he said, was the installation of street lights though the project was experiencing some delays. 

Mr Gontse said out of the 20 street light poles expected to be installed, only eight had so far been put up. 

The VDC chairman said plans were afoot to start a horticulture project which he said required a water tank. 

In addition, he said the Ipelegeng Programme needed an office for its operations.

Mr Gontse said some 30 people from neighbouring fields and 90 Khurumela Ward residents had been engaged in the programme.

He expressed gratitude to government for increasing Ipelegeng allowances by P50 noting that though still low, it would enable beneficiaries to take care of their basic needs. 

Mr Gontse also commended government for introducing food ratios especially breakfast for primary school learners. 

He said some children from  needy  families used to attend classes on empty stomachs which led to poor concentration. 

Khurumela Ward headman Mr Dikakanyo Rammolai expressed concern over the high rate of crime in the area such as  burglary and theft, robbery and unlawful wounding and murder, especially among the youth.

In Thomadithotse Ward, VDC chairperson Mrs Roseline Serumula requested that the open space in front of the kgotla be allocated to the VDC to put up either a clinic or pre-school.

 She also requested that VDC be given the place formerly used as a dumping site which she said could be rehabilitated and either a children’s park  or clinic established there. 

Responding, MP Goya said government was committed to bringing development to the people across the length and breath of the country.

Government, he said, was focused on creating employment for locals and eradicating poverty. 

Mr Goya said construction projects had been awarded to local companies as an empowerment strategy to ensure their participation in the country’s Economic Diversification Drive. 

About Special Economic Zones, he said they had been established to specialise in varying projects such as manufacturing, horticulture and animal husbandry among others. 

Palapye has been earmarked for manufacturing projects, he said. ENDS