25 Feb 2021

Member of Parliament for Kanye South says the renovation of the abandoned BEDU offices near Ngwaketse Junior Secondary School was music to his ear.

Dr Lemogang Kwape said in an interview after a tour of the offices, that fell into disuse many years ago, that reviving the structures would benefit the community.

Dr Kwape noted that the location had easy access to the main road, water and electricity. 

He said he was pleased that the building would soon house some manufacturers.  

Dr Kwape, who is also Minister of International Affairs and Cooperation, said some manufacturers were struggling to break even because of high rentals and imported inputs.

This comes on the backdrop of his tour of the offices late last year with Assistant Minister of Investment, Trade and Industry, Mr Molebatsi Molebatsi when he requested they be renovated to accommodate entrepreneurs.

Mr Molebatsi had said his ministry had a vision to revive and avail for business, land and buildings which were not being utilised by cooperatives or government departments.

He also said plans were afoot to cluster local manufacturers into cooperatives with a view to provide training on business as well as funding.

He said government envisioned sourcing uniforms for schools, nurses, police and soldiers from local manufacturers with a view of providing a sustainable market and job opportunities for Batswana.

The Local Enterprise Authority (LEA) branch manager, Ms Masego Tsiana said her organisation was renovating the offices to accommodate entrepreneurs, adding that manufacturers would be given priority. She also revealed that LEA staff would occupy some space in the building for business incubation purposes.

“We want to grow the manufacturing industry so when we talk of buying local, the products will be there,” she said.

Kanye Administrative Authority chairperson, Mr Simon Ramaphoi was also elated that the place was springing back to life. ends