22 Jun 2021

Residents of Qangwa in the Okavango district have appealed to the government to consider re-opening of Dobe border post.

Village Development Committee chairperson, Mr Mashave Thitoya made the plea during a leadership meeting addressed by the Assistant Minister of Local Government and Rural Development, Mr Sethabelo Modukanele recently.

Though the residents welcomed the closure of the border post, following the outbreak of COVID-19-pandemic, they felt it was time the border post be reopened since the spread of disease was under control. 

The border post which is between Botswana and Namibia operates seven days a week hence making it easier for Qangwa residents to visit relatives and attend family activities in Namibia.

Mr Thitoya explained that currently, residents were forced to travel long distance to use the Mohembo border about 300km from the village, adding that it was also expensive.

He stated that residents spent P50 on transport to cross through the Dobe border post.

On other issues, Mr Thitoya called for upgrading of the border post office and accommodation for officers employed to patrol the border post. 

Mr Thitoya decried lack of electricity at the clinic stating that residents could not easily access services at night except those who could afford to bring along candles while some use cell phones to provide lighting.

He also expressed concern over shortage of teachers’ accommodation, furniture at the school, lack of computers at the kgotla office and bad state of the road.

The area councillor who is also  Okavango Sub-district council vice chairperson, Mr Lelejwang Sokwe concurred on the upgrading of the border post stating that they had long complained about the condition of the office and accommodation for officers deployed to patrol the border fence.

He said they had long requested for porta cabins at the border and their request had not been answered.

In response, Assistant Minister Modukanele promised to take up some of the issues with the relevant authorities citing that he visited the border and interacted with officers deployed there.

On the issue of computers at kgotla office, he said that his ministry had taken a decision to install Wi-Fi in 200 offices across the country this financial year,  adding that if Qangwa kgotla was not included, it would be catered for in the next financial year.

He said the intention was to bridge the digital divide hence the decision to ensure all officers enjoy internet accessibility and improve service delivery. 

Mr Modukanele also appreciated good performance at the primary school and urged leadership to continue joining forces with the school management to attain 100 per cent.

He was informed that the school attained 69 per cent in the 2020 Primary School Leaving Examinations and pledged a present if the school could attain 96 per cent this year. Ends