18 Jun 2019

Assistant Minister of Local Government and Rural Development, Ms Botlogile Tshireletso says affirmative action, which was adopted to cater for Rural Area Dwellers (RAD’s) communities continues to yield results.

Bidding farewell to residents of Kutamogoree in the Nata/Gweta constituency on June 17, Ms Tshireletso said following the realisation that communities in remote areas were being left out and not fully enjoying the benefits offered to all Batswana, government came up with affirmative action in their favour. 

The assistant minister noted that since the policy was adopted some years back, a good number of people had benefited and their livelihoods had changed for the better. 

She said about 1 167 children from such areas were assisted to further their studies at different tertiary institutions in the country, while some were sent for external studies.

She further added that more than 2 000 of them were sent to vocational training facilities, while another 2 000 was assisted to get formal employment in government institutions, a number she said did not include those who did that on their own.

Further, the assistant minister emphasised that prior to the decision to implement affirmative action, some people in such places were not eager to seek government programmes, noting that since they were empowered, they were able to do many things on their own, which had not only benefited them, but the communities as well as the country at large.  

In addition, Ms Tshireletso stated that many villages under RAD’s category had  been electrified through the national village electrification programme and those that were left out would be done this and the next financial years.

She said in their constituency Manxotae and Sepako were in the pipeline, leaving only Lepashe and Tsokatshaa, which would be electrified at a later stage.

She  noted that the government had also enhanced communication in the areas by improving the quality of telecommunications. 

She said quality communication empowered people to learn new things, which were aimed at improving their livelihoods, hence reducing the burden on government.

Meanwhile, in his welcome remarks, Kgosi Motsamai Kgosi praised the assistant minister for helping their communities, adding that many had learnt to do things for themselves because of her encouragement. 

Kgosi Kgosi appealed to her to continue assisting them even after leaving politics, adding that they too would continue to engage her when the need arises. ends