02 Aug 2021

 There is need for concerted efforts to fight challenges impacting on Botswana’s cooperatives movement growth, Ministry of Trade Investment and Industry deputy permanent secretary for Economic Diversification Drive, Mr Lame Nthekele has said.

Speaking at a cooperatives society event, Mr Nthekele  called for stakeholders’ involvement in supporting cooperatives deal with national issues affecting them.

He highlighted that, despite challenges facing cooperatives in Botswana, some cooperatives were doing well.

He went on to call for formation of the new generation cooperatives focused on youth related and high quality products that should be competitive in the business market as envisaged in the co-operative Transformational Agenda of 2011.

“Let us continue embracing the cooperative model that can create employment for our youth and a model that is fighting inequalities among societies, Mr Nthekela said.He said the theme: Rebuild Better Together, called for unity, solidarity in building a better future for cooperatives, as it resonated well with Reset and Inclusivity as envisioned in the National Reset Agenda.

He further assured Batswana of government’s commitment towards cooperative growth to be able to contribute immensely to the country’s economic growth and that of communities. 

Molepolole North MP, Mr Oabile Regoeng challenged cooperative members to come up with better ways of improving its operations.

“You cannot be coming together regularly to commemorate annual cooperative days when there is no tangible evidence to suggest your success,” Mr Regoeng said.

He therefore encouraged cooperatives to improve operations and come up with better ways through which they could contribute to the country’s economic growth.

 “Let us be seen to be growing and proactive as 45 years of existence is a significant period that could be signifying greater achievements,” he said.

Mr Regoeng emphasised the need for clear rules and objectives on what cooperatives intended to accomplish. He further encouraged cooperatives to be open to new ideas and adopt new ways of doing things in order to yield positive outcome.

For his part, Bakwena deputy Paramount Chief (Deputy Kgosikgolo) Lawrence Mohaladi emphasised the need for cooperatives to work towards improving the economy of villages they are operating in and reduce conflicts that may have negative bearing on their operations. 

“It is important that we support committee members entrusted with responsibilities to lead and should not sit back and point accusing fingers when we could be bringing suggestion for growth,” advised kgosi Mohaladi.

He warned against inactive committee members that stay long without alternating, adding that this had the potential to ruin what cooperatives intended to achieve. Ends