07 Jun 2021

Government is committed to reviving cooperatives as they could help in empowering communities by creating employment, says Assistant Minister of Investment, Trade and Industry Mr Molebatsi Molebatsi.

Mr Molebatsi, who is also Mmadinare MP, said this when addressing members of the Metsimotlhabe Multipurpose and Kweneng North Horticultural Farmers Cooperatives at Metsimotlhabe recently.

He said reviving cooperatives was in line with President Dr Mokgweetsi Masisi’s Transformational Agenda to empower citizen through employment creation.

The call, he said led to his national tour to encourage communities on the revival of cooperatives as they have the potential to contribute to the growth of the country’s economy as well as that of communities.

He said government’s wish was to grow the country’s economy, adding that this could be achieved through citizen empowerment.

Therefore, he advised members of the two cooperatives to come up with viable and sustainable projects that could help resuscitate their cooperatives and lure investors.

Mr Molebatsi said he was impressed as both Metsimotlhabe and Kweneng north horticultural farmer’s entities owned pieces of land, which they could use, and start any business they wish to pursue.

Furthermore, he encouraged them to desist from only having mature members and allow young and vibrant members who could help them with fresh ideas on how they could easily run their cooperatives.

He also cautioned them against corruption and selfishness by some individuals who only come in for personal gains without having communities’ interest at heart.

Mr Molebatsi also encouraged them to produce quality products that could compete both locally and internationally.

For his part, Kweneng North Horticultural Farmers Cooperatives chairperson Ms Sarah Mosarwa attributed the collapse of many local businesses to lack of support by procuring entities who preferred imported goods to locally produced products.

Ms Mosarwa said that sometimes they failed to supply government institutions in favor of briefcase companies that are often preferred over established business entities.

Metsimotlhabe Multipurpose cooperative’s Chairperson Mr Matlhabaphiri Matlhabaphiri, said although they were challenged by lack of proper management due to use of old ideas, they would welcome fresh ideas that would help them resucitate their entities. 

Ms Nnaniki Makwinja, the Assistant Minister of Basic Education and Lentsweletau /Mmopane MP, expressed gratitude over the ministry of trade’s decision to save cooperatives.

Ms Makwinja reiterated that cooperatives were important as they help in community development and employment creation. Ends