22 Jan 2020

Local authorities in Letlhakane have been urged to take ownership of developments in the village.

The Member of Parliament for Boteti East and Assistant Minister of Health and Wellness, Mr Sethomo Lelatisitswe, said this during a meeting with village development committees, councillors and dikgosi in Letlhakane on January 19.

He warned that if they failed to sassume the responsibility of developing their village, they could find outsiders at the helm.

He encouraged them to be responsible leaders, adding that they were supposed to share issues discussed at leadership level with members of public.

Mr Lelatisitswe said it was crucial for leaders to know and understand the needs and concerns of the people they led.

He highlighted that it was critical to establish trust as opposed to fear, amongst the people they led.

He proposed the development of internal roads in Letlhakane through 2020/2021 constituency funds, requesting the leadership to discuss and reach an agreement on the project.

The intention, he said, was to request the mines to assist with the development of internal roads in the village, citing that a large number of vehicles in Letlhakane were from the mines.

He urged the leadership to advocate for the sub-district to be upgraded to a full district, which he noted, required cooperation between the residents and leadership.

Letlhakane Central Village Development Committee member, Ms Keene Keoarabile,  welcomed the MPs proposal, saying developing internal roads in Letlhakane was a good initiative.

Mr Galetlwaelwe Gabontswe supported the idea of developing internal roads whilst Letlhakane South VDC chairperson, Ms Gofaone Molaledi complained that Debswana was not participating in village meetings.

Councillor Ntebogang Kgosi of Letlhakane North emphasised the importance of the presence of mines’ leadership or representatives in village meetings. ENDS