17 Dec 2020

Sowa Township COVID-19 team has been commended for working tirelessly to ensure that all COVID-19 protocols are adhered to.

Responding to the Sowa Town mayor’s speech, the chairperson of the education committee, Councillor Mabangu Gadibolae said the township had registered four COVID-19 cases, with one recovery.

He said despite congestions at schools, they were doing their level best to ensure that social distancing was maintained.

Mr Gadibolae said gender-based violence (GBV), including cases of defilement of school-going children, were still rampant and had led to councillors planning to visit individual homes to preach against defilement and gender- based violence.

He said there was need for counselling as many people, more especially men, died in silence, instead of seeking assistance.

He encouraged men to seek help from their counterparts or report if they were violated and stop fearing being laughed at, as this could lead to death or depression.

On other issues, Councillor Gadibolae commended the council for prudent financial management, stressing, however, that beneficiaries should not suffer for the council to boast of saving money.

He thanked Botswana Ash employees for donating more than 16 geysers to Nxakato Junior Secondary School.

Meanwhile, Councillor  Kgathego Olothantse lamented lack of developments at Sowa Town and called on the government to turn the fortunes of the town around, adding that as Block 3 (SHHA) had a problem, they should concentrate on Block 4.

Councillor Kgomotso Seduke requested that the fight against gender-based violence be carried out all year round. 

She said 30 gender-based violence cases were recorded in Sowa, saying it was important to establish whether an abuse case was physical, emotional or sexual.

Councillor Seduke said indiscriminate dumping of litter and refuse was a concern, especially during the rainy season, as refuse could be a breeding ground for mosquitoes, which cause malaria

She also encouraged parents to ensure that children did not swim in ponds,to avoid death or being infected with malaria.

On those who benefited, she said it had come to light that some of the youth acquired from Youth Development Fund (YDF), loans from different offices and had since disappeared without paying back.

For his part, Councillor  Ontiretse Kabalale commended the town’s residents, saying although there was a large number of trucks visiting their township, it had only recorded four COVID-19 positive cases.

Councillor Kabalale said keeping gender-based violence a secret within the family fueled and exacerbated violence, adding that the ‘I do not care and I am not involved’ spirit should be dealt with.

Councillor Bahiti Ratora suggested that the Minister of Land Management, Water and Sanitation Services requests for a loan to assist in water reticulation for Sowa.

He lamented that as the township was not fenced, livestock from nearby cattle posts came into town to drink sewage water, feed on refuse and pose a danger to motorists. ends