25 Aug 2013

The Minister of Labour and Home Affairs, Mr Edwin Batshu, has advised residents of Senete, Mabue and Nkange to take note of their Omang’s expiry dates.

Addressing kgotla meetings in the villages, Mr Batshu encouraged them to re-apply before the expiry dates so that they can register for the 2014 elections.

Mr Batshu said more than one million Batswana have applied for an Omang since the introduction of the national identity cards in 1986.

He noted that according to Department of Civil and National Registration records, out of this number, more than 182 000 cards have already expired countrywide.

Mr Batshu further noted that this year, 5 155 cards will expire, adding that 1 863 of these will be in Nkange Constituency.

He pointed out that in 2014, a total of 74 366 cards will expire, and of these, 3 966 will also be from Nkange Constituency.

Furthermore, he said more than 17 000 people will be turning 16 this year, and they need to apply for Omang cards, adding that at the Tutume Omang office, there were 602 uncollected cards.

On other issues, Mr Batshu said because of the current drought situation, government subsidized has livestock feed with between 25 per cent and 35 per cent.

He encouraged the Livestock Advisory Centres to stockpile livestock feeds to ensure sufficient supply. He also noted that ISPAAD continues.

Mr Batshu explained that the bolus has been replaced by ear tags and encouraged residents to use the programme in large numbers, noting that in Nkange, the ear tags will be rolled out in October and November.

Meanwhile, chairperson of Senete Village Development Committee, Mr Bondo Maja, said he appreciated Ipelegeng projects that were done on time, even though some are still pending.

Mr Maja asked for an extension period to complete the pending projects.

He also told the minister that there was no Botswana flag at the Senete kgotla. ENDS