04 Dec 2019

Kgalagadi District councillors have been urged to gear up for the fourth industrial revolution.

Botswana Association of Local Authorities (BALA) president, Rev. Mpho Moruakgomo, said this during orientation of councillors who took oath of office  in Tsabong on Monday.

“We are sitting in the edge of the fourth industrial revolution and therefore councillors must inform themselves so that they can bring the people on board,” he said.

He encouraged councillors to be at the forefront of issues so that they could be in better position of delivery. This, he said, was a critical component of leadership.

“You cannot be a leader if you do not understand issues, you must read to inform yourself,” he stated.

Furthermore, Rev. Moruakgomo told the 26 councillors that for them to efficiently discharge their mandate, it was important to understand functions of government and the direction that they ought to take to develop the people.

He added that councillors must not rest on their laurels, but work day and night to deliver on their mandate.

Reverend Moruakgomo encouraged them to always direct their people to new opportunities by providing strategic leadership.

Moreover, he encouraged councillors to desist from corrupt practices and treat everyone equally irrespective of political affiliation.

“Avoid using your position for personal gain,” he advised.

For her part, Kgalagadi District Council secretary, Ms Baipelelang Photlokwe said the three-day workshop was meant to equip councillors with skills to enhance service delivery.

She said excellence was placed at the core of district and social development. Therefore, councillors should brace themselves for working with a robust administrative wing to deliver services to the people.

She encouraged councillors, who were sworn into office by the Kgalagadi District commissioner, Mr Patson Dibotelo to be exemplary, have honesty, impartiality, respect, accountability, selflessness, integrity and exercise transparency at all times.

Councillors were further drilled on Local Government Act and other legislations governing councils, history as well as powers of the council, general duties and responsibilities.

Furthermore, they were drilled on financing of councils and budgeting process, performance management and service standards, development planning framework, structure and process, corruption prevention, corporate governance and enterprise risk management, as well as local economic development.

In an interview, nominated councillor, Mr Nkatlholang Simane, said he would bring wealth of experience to the council and shall discharge his mandate with diligence going forward.

He said he led the Local Economic Development (LED) committee and they shall carry on from where they left to bring about progress of the small stock abattoir, and resuscitation of Lobu Small stock Farm amongst other projects.

The youngest councillor, 31-year-old Mr Moratwa Lekolori of Lehututu/Maake, an accountant by profession, said he would bring in business skills to the 2019-2014 council and that he shall advocate for the youth agenda.

He said Kgalagadi District needed to invest on innovation, therefore he called for new projects. In addition, he said arts and culture was another key area worth dealing with to take young people out of poverty.

Tsabong South councillor, Mr John Lentshikang and leader of opposition in the council whose political career span 21 years, said he shall strive to push for constituency projects such as development of the road infrastructure, street lights and improve poor education results.

He said he had been the centre audit committee chairperson, where he tackled financial assets of the council and addressed queries and therefore more effort shall be put in to improve business processes of the council. ENDS