27 Aug 2013

A resident of Francistown East constituency, Ms Tiny Moagi, has expressed concern about people who failed to adhere to the medical advice concerning anti-retroviral drugs.

Commenting in one of the kgotla meetings addressed by the MP for the constituency, Mr Phandu Skelemani at Ikhutseng and Ntshe wards recently, Ms Moagi said it was disheartening that some people signed up for anti-retroviral therapy but continued to drink alcohol.

Ms Moagi said such people failed to appreciate that government sacrificed some development projects to buy the antiretroviral drugs. Another resident, Mr Michael Belebese, suggested that a law should be enacted to punish people who drank alcohol while on anti-retroviral therapy.

Ms Nomsa Philemon called on government to crack a whip on all the churches that encouraged members to stop taking anti-retroviral drugs.

She said there were instances where ARVs were found dumped near hills and rivers on advice of some church leaders. Concerning alcohol, a youth, Mr Keolebogile Ntsweng, suggested that people should apply for renewable licences to drink alcohol.

Such licences should be required to enter bars and buy liquor, and they would make money for government.  Another resident, Mr Tymon Chikanyuka,saidt the youth were not using government’s empowerment programmes because of in adequate orientation.

He said young Batswana should be taught that not all of them would find white collar jobs. He added that requirement of writing a business plan deterred some people from venturing into businesses.

He said those who helped prepare such plans charged exorbitantly and in most cases CEDA officials were unwilling to assist. Ms Thandiwe Modisakgotla said it was difficult for people to improve on their houses because commercial banks had made it difficult to obtain loans.

She asked the government to negotiate with the banks to make it easier for people to acquire mortgages. Ms Pinkie Malesu, the chairperson of Ikhutseng Ward Development Committee, asked the government to make it easier for people to own firearms to fend off criminals.

Mr Mpho Raditholo complained about lack of recreational facilities in Francistown which led to alcohol and drug abuse among the youth. BOPA