19 Jul 2021

 A decision by the North West District Council (NWDC) to transfer construction of the new primary school project from Rwee ward to Gauxa ward will be reviewed.

This follows new developments at a recent consultative meeting in Shakawe where some of Rwee people pledged land for construction of the school.

Speaking at the meeting, North West District Council chairperson, Mr Kebareeditse Ntsogotho, said findings from preliminary consultations by the task team had earlier indicated that there was no land for construction in Rwee, while some needed compensation to avail their land hence the council’s decision to take the school to Gauxa ward where there was a civic and community plot.

He further noted that the council had no budget for land purchase as earlier requested by some Rwee individuals.

Mr Ntsogotho, therefore, assured the community that the council would re-examine the decision at council level based on the new information presented by Rwee elders.

Member of Parliament for Okavango, Mr Kenny Kapinga implored NWDC and relevant stakeholders to accelerate the re-assessment process so that construction of the school could commence in a short time.

On behalf of the community of Rwee, Mr David Moyongora called on council to reconsider their resolution, adding that it would be in the interest of children who currently walked about 4km to attend school at Shakawe primary.

He said Shakawe was a wildlife area, while walking such long distances posed risk to children’s lives, particularly with animals such as elephants that often encroached into human settlements.

Another speaker, Mr Lefedile Andreck said construction of the school at Rwee ward would be ideal as it would alleviate congestion at Shakawe Primary School.

Kgosi Kea Lempadi also concurred with the community of Rwee that there was serious need for a primary school at the ward, adding that taking the school to Gauxa ward would not be a wise move because Gauxa already had an underutilised Khathiana Primary School in terms of population. ends