17 Feb 2020

The major benefit  of the revised Botswana Land Policy of July 2019 is that each Motswana will be eligible for allocation of one plot at an area of their choice within the country on both state and tribal land.

Making a presentation at a workshop that Serowe Sub-land Board recently hosted to enlighten the stakeholders about the revised Botswana Land Policy of July 2019 with the view to strengthen relationships with stakeholders for effective service delivery, board secretary, Ms Tebogo Malane said the overall goal of the policy, which was approved by Parliament in 2015 was to protect and promote land rights of land holders and promote sustainable human settlement.

She said the policy also aimed to guide all land operations for sustainable human settlement, utilisation and social economic development as well as promote access, equity, efficiency, land rights security and transparency in land management and administration.

Through the policy, stakeholders are also empowere to be responsive to emerging opportunities, dynamics of planning and developments in the country, she said.

Before its approval, Ms Malane said there was a public outcry centred around the implication of some sections,  therefore the policy advocates for allocation of plots to individual irrespective of marriage regime.

“There was also pressure to allow change of land use, particularly for ploughing fields, hence government reviewed the policy by amending certain sections and removing some in line with Parliament and public proposals as well as taking on board the President’s road map,” stated Ms Malane.

She said the new policy further states that up to 15 per cent of the national agricultural zones can be utilised for other ancillary uses.

Ms Malane said the guidelines for agro-tourism have also been reviewed to allow for up to 50 per cent for ancillary uses and that all changes require planning permission from planning authorities.

Participants welcomed the policy and stated that Batswana would improve their livelihoods by utilising available land.

They however, complained about self-allocation by some members of the community and delayed plot allocation by the board.

Board chairperson, Mr Molefe Madikwa said dikgosi and land overseers must work jointly to assist the community to acquire land and also solve disputes associated with land allocation.

Mr Madikwa indicated that board members, land overseers, dikgosi and the village committee should report to the land board as soon as wrongdoing is realized and not wait for MPs kgotla meetings.

The workshop was themed: Land Tenure Reforms for Sustainable Land Use and was attended by board members, dikgosi, land overseers, VDC members and farmers committees. BOPA