09 May 2021

 Mogoditshane/Thamaga sub-district councillors have commended the outgoing senior assistant council secretary for his work ethic while at the helm of the sub-council.

Councillors applauded Mr Daniel Katjinotjiwa at a special sub-council meeting on Friday.

Cllr Otlaadisa Kgwatalala of Ledumadumane Ward thanked the outgoing SACS for displaying true leadership skills, especially during the national lockdown when the country was facing a difficult time in dealing with the pandemic.

Cllr Kgwatalala said his test of leadership came to the fore because it was also a time when the sub-district was painted with a black brush in the media with allegations of corruption. He said that did not deter him but he continued to work hard.

Councillor for Gabane South East, Ms Lady Pule concurred with other councillors saying Mogoditshane was a complex sub-district with little resources and understaffed.

Such, Cllr Pule said, put the sub-district in a difficult position for anyone to succeed because of insufficient resources.

She however emphasised that true leadership anchored on good governance and equal distribution of resources and services to all.

For his part, the sub-council chairperson, Mr Dux Mafoko also commended Mr Katjinotjiwa for standing his ground even under very difficult situations.

Mr Mafoko said when Mr Katjinotjiwa joined the sub-council in January last year, he reformed the organisation, especially where procurement processes were concerned and he curbed corrupt practices within it.

Mr Katjinotjiwa also reoriented councillors in administrative processes and procedures.

However, Mr Mafoko warned fellow councillors that he would not tolerate shady deals and corrupt practices going forward.

That, he said was because some councillors and other politicians within the sub-district had a tendency of bidding for tenders either with their companies or having other people front for them, something he said was conflict of interest and wrong.

However, while they showered Mr Katjinotjiwa with praises, they expressed displeasure over his transfer to Gaborone City Council as deputy town clerk arguing that his stay at the sub-council was cut short.

They said they had hoped he would speed up developments in the sub-district owing to his work ethic and sterling character, key among them was transformation of Mogoditshane into a fully-fledged town council.

On the other hand, Mr Katjinotjiwa thanked councillors for working together in advancing the sub-district.

He advised the sub-district council staff to always stick to principles of governance and shun corruption and its ugly facets.

Meanwhile, Mr Losika Mosarwa, who was assistant council secretary, has been promoted to head administrative wing of the sub-council as the new senior assistant council secretary. Ends