28 Jun 2020

Assistant Minister of Local Government and Rural Development, Mr Kgotla Autlwetse said that government intended to improve Ipelegeng programme so that it focused on sustainable projects.

He said the move would also help boost self-taught trades such as bricklaying as well as help horn survival skills that ordinary Batswana possess, but do not have certificates as they were not taught at technical schools.

Mr Autlwetse said that contrary to rumours, government had not cancelled the programme, but made an adjustment necessitated by the COVID-19 pandemic, just like in all the other sectors and programmes.

He said that government took a decision to halt the conventional Ipelegeng projects such as cutting of grass as it worked against COVID-19 protocols non-sharing of tools.

“Due to those factors, government took a decision to suspend the conventional Ipelegeng, as it was the case with other sectors such as churches and the recently ‘opened’ alcohol industry,” he said.

He said that government also took a decision to divert Ipelegeng funds to other areas such as engagement of COVID-19 scorpions and cleaners at schools, as they were also considered part of the programme.

Mr Autlwetse said that Ipelegeng was established after consultations with Batswana, and that should a need to cancel it arise, similar consultations be done. Ends