23 Jan 2022

Botswana Unified Revenue Service (BURS) Commissioner General, Ms Janet Makgolo says cooperative societies are critical in the country’s economic diversification drive.

Officiating at  Serowe Marketing Cooperative Society’s annual general meeting recently, Ms Makgolo said the society’s  achievements were   commendable. With its leadership, she said the society had achieved a lot.

In addition,  she said  the coorporative had also had an input in sustainable development goals, poverty alleviation as well as stimulating the economy, despite having been hit hard by the  COVID-19 pandemic.

Commissioner General Makgolo said owning properties in Serowe and surrounding areas such a filling station and a supermarket in Mabeleapodi showed that the society was doing well.

Further, she said the coorporative played a critical role in employement creation.

She further said most countries had successful cooperatives that had grown the economy and made enormous impact in those countries. She said  Serowe Marketing Cooperative Society was therefore on the right track.

“Most cooperatives in countries such as Kenya, own businesses such as taxis, tea products and most of the food sold in shops is from those cooperatives. Therefore I am very glad to see this cooperative in the same route that will lead to such greatness”, said Ms Makgolo.

Ms Makgolo applauded the cooperative for their theme of the day which showed that they recognised the country’s agenda of digitalization.

The theme ‘Modern technology key for future’ connects with President Dr Mokgweetsi Masisi’s Reset agenda.

As BURS, Ms Makgolo said, they benefited from the cooperatives through collection of  tax revenue.

She implored them to file their returns on time to avoid being penalised.  She said they should also familiarise themselves with new technological developments such as online shopping to improve their service delivery.

Giving vote of thanks, vice chairperson for Serowe Marketing Cooperative Society, Mr Kgalemo Kutuso said a cooperative could only be strong and effective if there was good cooperation between members. He said such called for every member to be hands on even if they were not part of the board.

He said it was important that they focused on the cooperative’s goals.

So far, he said, the cooperative had created employment for youth through its different businesses and  currently has 50 employees.

This, he said was a great achievement for them as it showed their input community  development. ENDS