29 Aug 2013

Projects in the Kweneng District have started to generate income despite experiencing some challenges such as price escalation and unavailability of equipment.

Kweneng District Council (KDC) chairperson, Mr Motlhophi Leo said when opening a full council meeting that the Letlhakeng Sub-district had 13 projects which included four hair and beauty salons, three bakeries and six fashion design projects. Mogoditshane/Thamaga Sub-district had five projects, three of which were hair and beauty salons, one food catering and a fashion design project.

In the Molepolole/ Lentsweletau Sub-district, he said, there were two fashion designers, two hair and beauty salons, one bakery and a food catering project. Mr Leo also mentioned that government was in the process of decentralising blood transfusion services to the districts, saying the service was only offered in Gaborone although mobile services were organised at times.

“The World Health Organisation recommends countries to collect blood units equivalent to two per cent of their population annually which means that Botswana needs 40 000 units of blood per year. Recently the National Blood Transfusion Services in Gaborone collected only 22 000 units annually which is below standard, adding that Scottish Livingstone hospital has started the bleeding exercise this month,” said Mr Leo.

Meanwhile, he said poaching of wild animals and damage of property by wild animals continuesd to be a challenge in the district. He stated that the Department of Wildlife and National Parks (DWNP) had employed 1 500 clusters throughout the country, out of which Kweneng District had a total of 81clusters whose work conditions and wages were similar to Ipelegeng workers.

“The (DWNP) has employed nine Special Wildlife Scouts for a period of six months contract which will be extended by three months end of August, based at the wards in Loologane, Tshwaane, Maboane, Motokwe, Tsetseng and Kaudwane. This is meant for citizens to report wildlife damages where they are based instead of travelling to wildlife offices,” echoed Mr Leo.

He emphasised that the department as well as private researchers pointed out a dramatic decline in wildlife population in Botswana, saying only elephants, zebras and buffalos show increasing and stable populations while the decline in the other species is a concern.

Furthermore Council Chairperson highlighted that the government has taken a deliberate decision to ban hunting in Botswana as of next year, adding that the ban will remain until there is evidence of recovery of wildlife population in the country. Ends