07 Nov 2021

Supporting projects funded under the poverty Eradication programme will enable them to grow into sustainable businesses capable of boosting the economy.  

Affording them such backing would put them in a position to successfully compete with big businesses and create employment for the nation.

Assistant Minister for Presidential Affairs, Governance and Public Administration Mr Dumizweni Mthimkhulu said this when touring poverty eradication projects in Selebi Phikwe on Friday.

He said government had invested a lot of money on some of these projects as such there should be return for investment, calling for the support of these projects.

“Let us select projects that are doing well and see how best we can assist those,” he said.

Poverty Eradication programme was introduced in 2011 with the aim to improve livelihoods of Batswana living under extreme poverty through establishment of sustainable income generating projects for both individuals and groups.

Mr Mthimkhulu visited the bakery, catering, upholstery and sanitizer projects where he encouraged beneficiaries to work hard to grow their projects into sustainable businesses.

He commended government for the support given to beneficiaries but encouraged all government departments involved in the poverty eradication projects to assist them to graduate, adding that government wanted to “see these projects grow.”

For his part Selebi Phikwe Town Council Mayor Mr Lucas Modimana said Selebi-Phikwe Town Council had embraced poverty eradication programme because it promoted skills transfer and cultivated the spirit of entrepreneurship.

Mr Modimana said though some beneficiaries abandoned their projects, some used the skills they acquired to venture into other projects.

He also called for the extension of packages under the programme to include services such as videography and photography which were not only attractive to young people but had the potential to create employment for Batswana.

Senior District Officer Development Mr Abednico Mmereki informed Mr Mthimkhulu that the district continued to monitor and conduct regular assessment of beneficiaries to check the status of the projects and to also offer assistance where needed.ENDS