23 Jan 2020

Member of Parliament for Boteti East and Assistant Minister of Health and Wellness, Mr Sethomo Lelatisitswe has implored mines to partner with government to develop Letlhakane.

Mr Lelatisitswe said this during a meeting with Lucara mine and Debswana management in Letlhakane this week. He noted that there was pressure on facilities in Letlhakane due to people flocking to the village in search of job opportunities and companies servicing the mines.

He also noted that people migrating to Letlhakane brought along their properties such as vehicles and machinery which put pressure on road facilities.

He said the objective of the meeting between the village leadership and stakeholders was to devise a plan that could reduce pressure on existing facilities.

Mr Lelatisitswe highlighted that it was crucial to establish how government and major stakeholders could partner to advance developments.

He also said it was critical to prioritise the construction of internal roads in the village as gravel roads had damaged people’s vehicles. He added that government did not have a budget to fund the roads.

Senior assistant council secretary for Boteti Sub-district, Mr Milton Keitshokile said they were incapacitated to fund projects in the sub-district due to lack of money.

He noted that funds were directed towards the destitution programme as there was a large number of destitutes in the sub-district.

The general manager of Orapa Letlhakane and Damatshaa mines, Mr Bakani Motlhabani stated that Debswana was willing to partner government.

He acknowledged that developments had led to an increase in population, noting that Orapa township could not accommodate all Debswana employees and people from other companies. He added that others ended up residing in Letlhakane.

Mr Motlhabani said the mine had been working on the construction of slime dams which would soon be completed leading to a decrease in the population.

He, however, noted that the Cut 3 project would lead to an increase in population.

Debswana, he said, could engage its personnel to assist with building internal roads in Letlhakane and the costs. He said they were willing to collaborate on the project so that they could be able to make informed decisions on their pledge.

The general manager of Lucara Botswana, Mr Johane Mchive, said cooperation between Lucara and Debswana was critical, adding that the development of roads was one of their top priorities.

Mr Mchive also noted that the mine’s Sustainable Development Goal nine (SDG9) called for the development of infrastructure such as roads, bus stops and speed humps amongst others. The objective, he said, was to promote sustainable development.

He said they would also assist schools in Letlhakane, adding that the sports complex project was almost complete and would be launched end of this month.

The goal, he said, was to ensure that diamonds benefitted locals. He informed the village leadership that they had managed to partner with Louis Vuitton and HB Company that would be polishing Sewelo diamond discovered at Karowe mine.

Mr Mchive said for every diamond sold, five per cent of the profits would benefit local communities.

In addition, he said the aim was to undertake phase two of the Mokubilo integrated farm, which was established in 2018.

He noted that in 2026 the open pit mine system would reach an end, and that about P4 billion would be required to go underground.

Commenting, specially elected councillor, Mr Otsile Mmatlakgomo said it was important to establish ways in which poverty amongst Basarwa could be alleviated.

Mr Mmatlakgomo also requested a back-up generator to ensure water supply during power outages in the village. ENDS