16 Jan 2022

Sikwane and Mabalane Village Development Committees (VDCs) must work in tandem with the Kgatleng District Council for the benefit of their communities.

Addressing kgotla meetings at the two villages recently, Member of Parliament (MP) for Mochudi East, Mr Mabuse Pule said the two villages shared similar challenges, hence the need to work together.

He said they had similar problems like poor storm water drainage system, poor roads, no land allocation being carried out and also shared the same health post.

Mr Pule, said the VDCs should come up with new fundraising strategies such as building lodges and shopping centres.

He explained that Modipane/Lentswe La Theko road and Mabalane Primary Hospital projects were included in the 2022/23 financial year, but were delayed by lack of funds and the outbreak of COVID-19 pandemic.

Mabalane VDC chairperson, Ms Florrie Moati said their biggest achievements were building a library at the villages’s primary school and paving the Kgotla. She however lamented shortage of classrooms at the school and pleaded with government to consider installing street lights in the village.

“The VDC is happy with the developments, our only worry is that it has been years since the land board allocated residential plots,” she said.

In response, Mathubudukwane Sub-Land Board deputy chairperson, Ms Tamati Ramatlhakwane said they last allocated residential plots in 2009, adding that before allocating plots, they had to verify that indeed the applicants qualified.

For his part, Sikwane VDC treasurer, Mr Israel Pule said the village health post was too small for use by both Sikwane and Mabalane residents. He also complained about shortage of ambulances, as there was only one, for all the river villages.

Mr Pule pleaded with government to consider connecting internet to government offices in Sikwane, especially at the primary school and kgotla.

Meanwhile, the Mochudi East legislator urged the residents to fully participate in the envisioned constitutional review exercise. ENDS