04 Dec 2019

Government is in the process of introducing a village scorecard to be led by traditional leaders.

  Minister of Local Government and Rural Development, Mr Eric Molale told Botswana Tribal Administration Association (BOTASA) members Tuesday that the aim was to enhance monitoring of development projects and improve service delivery.

   Its main objective was to link dikgosi with development and the community, said Mr Molale who was officially opening the 24th annual BOTASA conference in Maun.

  The initiative, he said, called for village development committees, extension teams and other relevant structures to converge at the kgotla and look into development plans, programmes and services together.

  He said all relevant officers would report on their achievements and failures and map the way forward.

 An officer would be appointed to drive the initiative, he disclosed.

 Meanwhile Mr Molale has urged BOTASA members to play an active role towards the achievement of the national transformation agenda.

He said the agenda called for all to introspect and change some policies and services to improve community livelihoods.

The minister stressed the need to fully support President Dr Mokgweetsi Masisi whose desire was to change the lives of Batswana.

Transformation, he said, required all to introspect and change the way they had been doing things further explaining that it touched on changes in strategy, operating model, people’s attitudes and processes.

Mr Molale said visible strides had been made on the transformation agenda citing land policy changes, revival of consultation system and inclusive economy.

Land, he said, should not be a liability or sold to foreigners but  should benefit owners.

Minister Molale said consultation was an integral part of transformation and as per tradition, it should start from the kgotla.

He mentioned as some of the fundamentals of transformation respect, spirit of tolerance, restoring peace and integrity.

Integrity, he said, should start with an individual.

To dikgosi, Mr Molale said they should put community interests first.

On other issues, he told BOTASA members that government was doing all to improve their welfare as issues of progression, accommodation, internet connectivity would be looked into.

Mr Molale said  public servants were critical in the delivery of services and urged them to continue to strive for improved performance, customer service and demonstrate professional behaviour and conduct.

Batawana acting paramount chief, Kgosi Kealetile Moremi said tribal administration was lagging behind on staff welfare issues despite being the oldest department in the country.

Kgosi Moremi cited among the challenges shortage of transport which she said hindered progress.

BOTASA vice president, Ms Felicity Keorapetse appreciated Mr Molale’s appointment and expressed the hope that there would be a turnaround in the Department of Tribal Administration.

She stressed the need for good labour relations towards attaining a productive, result oriented workforce for social and economic development.

Ms Keorapetse  also expressed appreciation for government efforts such as training of employees and improving resources.

For a long time, she said, the department was under-resourced but now efforts for securing vehicles were being made.

She called on the leadership to consider increasing the Department of Tribal Administration budget saying 85 per cent of it was for personal remuneration with only 15 per cent used to run the department’s business.

The conference was held under the theme ‘Good labour relations; a key to a productive, engaged workforce for social and economic development.’.ENDS