29 Oct 2020

Maun East MP, Mr Goretetse Kekgonegile has urged community trusts to introspect and see how best they can contribute to growing the economy.

Community trusts, he said, were making better profits but they were not playing a key role in growing the country’s economy.

He made the remarks during his visits to community trusts in his constituency to appreciate how they were surviving during the COVID 19 pandemic.

Mr Kekgonegile said through their profits, they were capable of constructing big projects such as shopping complexes, offices, houses for rental as well as developing their villages.

Investing in big projects, he said, could also assist in stimulating employment opportunities for locals.

He urged community trusts to think outside the box and consider investing in major projects to boost their coffers rather than depend on leasing their concessions. 

Mr Kekgonegile said they could use the Public, Private Partnership (PPP) model to undertake big projects. 

He appreciated that trusts were doing a commendable job to improve the livelihoods of their communities through construction of houses, sponsorship for students and giving allowance to the elders on monthly basis among others.

The legislator emphasised that time had come to plan big and own projects instead of concentrating on intangible projects. 

Community trusts board members were also urged to reduce wasting time on conflicts but rather participate intensively in the growth of the economy.

Mr Kekgonegile raised concern that conflicts between board members, communities, Village Development Committees were disturbing, noting that there was an outcry about poor corporate governance and mismanagement of funds within trusts.

He cited that there were perceptions that young people were elected in trusts boards to enrich themselves and urged board members to be accountable and conduct business in a transparent manner.

Mr Kekgonegile also acknowledged that some trusts had been negatively affected by the pandemic, resulting in losing 80 per cent of their revenue. 

He however encouraged them to be ready as the tourism industry was opening gradually.

He cited that the approval by the ministry of Environment, Natural Resources Conservation and Tourism (MENT) to allow direct chartered international flights to Ngamiland and Chobe effective beginning of November was an indication that the industry would eventually recover.

He was hopeful that COVID-19 vaccine would be found as some countries were a step ahead in finding the vaccine, citing America and China.

The area MP also stated that the pandemic should not be an excuse for failing to deliver to the community’s expectations and urged trusts to find other ways to generate income while awaiting the situation to stabilize.

Trusts were also advised to improve their branding and marketing strategies. 

Mr Kekgonegile said most trusts were operating in prime land but were not doing enough to brand and market themselves.

He urged them to consider establishing satellite offices in different places in order to be visible as a major player in the industry.

In response, some trusts members admitted that their constitutions limited their  participation in the economy.

Khwai Development Trust chairman, Mr Jonah Amos said their constitution was a challenge, noting that most projects undertaken were the community’s decision. 

He stated that at times the board would come up with brilliant project ideas but if the community was not in favour of such ideas, the committee would not implement them.

 

To ensure local participation in the economy, Mr Amos said they had a big concession which its contract was ending in 2025, and their intention was to rezone it and reserve one portion for youth to venture into tourism projects. Ends