10 May 2022

 In its efforts to encourage citizen economic empowerment, the government has made a deliberate decision to prioritise locals in its purchase of product and services. 

Ramotswa Member of Parliament, Mr Lefoko Moagi said this when addressing a kgotla meeting in the village as part of a tour of his constituency, during which he apprised his constituents about new developments in the law and various issues of common interest, as well as to hear their concerns.

 Mr Moagi said Parliament had proposed the opening of all borders to ease movement and enable companies and people to get back to business and help improve the country’s economy. He said the constituency development fund, which was suspended due to COVID-19, would be allocated this year, adding that would allow for recommencement of constituency projects. 

He also encouraged his constituents to get vaccinated for COVID-19, and urged those who had already been vaccinated to get their booster shot. 

For her part, Balete Paramount Chief, Kgosi Mosadi Seboko suggested that destitute people should be encouraged to go into farming and, be provided with farming and other skills to better their lives, rather than handouts. She said doing that would not only help the individuals, but would also help the economy to grow. 

District Agricultural Coordinator, Ms Kgotso Madisa said the ministry of agriculture had, through the Integrated Support Programme for Arable Agriculture Development (ISPAAD), introduced the Horticulture Impact Accelerator Subsidy (IAS) fund, whose objective was to increase production of horticultural products. 

Ms Madisa said government came up with the initiative as it would like to see the nation self-sufficient in the production of all types of vegetables. She added the objectives of the initiative were to create employment opportunities, provide production structures and essential inputs, and promote protected cultivation and use of green technology to improve food production efficiency, among others. 

Ms Madisa said the government provided a 50 per cent funding grant for all the programme packages. 

In Otse and Mogobane, residents complained about exorbitant water bills, with Otse chief, Kgosi Mothusi Tsetse urging Water Utilities Corporation to look into the issue, as some water bills were so high it belied explanation. 

He also condemned the corporation’s estimation system, saying some residents paid water bills every month, but still ended up receiving exorbitant bills. 

Kgosi Tsetse said in December, he received a P13 700 water bill and by the end of January it had gone up to P24 000, only to be told, upon complaining, that it was the corporation’s mistake and that his correct bill was less than a P1000. 

Responding to some questions and comments from the residents, Mr Moagi said magistrates’ rules were reviewed to increase their powers to enable them to impose ‘bigger’ tougher sentences. 

He said Section 58 of the Constitution was also amended, following approval of a motion calling for the addition of four new constituencies, to take the total from 57 to 61. 

Mr Moagi said other acts that were discussed for adoption included the Economic Inclusion Bill and the Public Procurement Bill. BOPA