26 Jun 2019

The multi-million Lobatse leather park project is slowly taking shape despite concerns from the public that actual construction of physical infrastructure was taking long to commence.

Deputy mayor of Lobatse Town Council (LTC), Mr Francis Mokwena explained during a full council meeting on Tuesday that implementation of various milestones for the project had started.

Delivering a speech on behalf of the mayor, Ms Malebogo Kruger, Mr Mokwena said that milestones such as the recruitment of suitable tanneries and training workshops on good livestock management practices were in progress.

He further said other milestones in progress were the rehabilitation and establishment of slaughter facilities as well as establishment of major leather collection centres. He said leather collection centres would be in Lobatse, Gaborone, Palapye, Francistown, Maun and Kang.

The deputy mayor also said the business plan for the project was being considered by government after the Local Enterprise Authority (LEA) approved it.

“With regard to tender for fencing of the Leather Industry Park, LEA has decided that the report for the tender should wait for the disbursement of funds,” Mr Mokwena said.

The project was conceptualised about seven years ago following the development of the leather industry strategy. However, issues, including lack of funding, caused delays to the project and completion time was revised to next year. The project is envisaged to create over 5 000 jobs when completed. It is expected to provide activities in leather processing and manufacturing of different leather products.

On other major projects in the town, Mr Mokwena said the council was in the process of acquiring additional land for the expansion of the Lobatse landfill at its current site.

He said the landfill had long passed its design lifespan of 20 years in 2014, and that all its operating cells were full.

“Currently consultations are ongoing between LTC, Department of Surveys and Mapping as well as the Department of Lands to assist with facilitating council to acquire this piece of land,” said the deputy mayor.

He further informed councillors that the building control office was still waiting for re-submission of construction drawings for upgrading of Lobatse Bus Rank after initial drawings from the developer were given comments to address.

Regarding the eagerly awaited Milk Afric, Mr Mokwena said the project was 99 per cent complete. However, he said the buying of dairy cows for the project from

South Africa was still pending due to the outbreak of Foot and Mouth Disease some months ago in that country.

“It is expected to resume once the Ministry of Agricultural Development and Food Security has issued communication that the disease had been cleared,” he said.

Once operational, the project is expected to have 2 000 dairy cows producing around 30 000 litres of milk per day. It is expected to significantly address shortage of milk and create employment opportunities. ENDS