03 Jul 2022

Contrasting views have emerged from Maun residents as some want an additional constituency while others proposed two more constituencies in Maun.

Making submissions during consultations by the Delimitation Commission recently, residents unanimously held the view that Maun constituencies were vast,  which hindered Members of Parliament from doing their work effectively.

Mr Monei Ndiyane proposed that an additional constituency be formed and called Maun North.

He said Maun North should start from Disaneng, pass through Matapana, Sedie, Bojanala then traverse to Shorobe up until Khwai.

Mr Ndiyane suggested that Maun East should incorporate Boseja South, Boseja North, Chanoga, Makalamabedi, Haina veld farms, Phuduhudu and Somelo.

As for Maun West, he proposed that it should start at Moeti to Shashe passing through Thito and Kgosing/Kubung and stretch to Komana up until Toteng.

Another resident, Mr Godfrey Modimoosi reiterated that there was need for a third constituency in Maun due to the population growth.

However, he dismissed the popular view that Memebrs of Parliament were not able to reach their constituencies due to their vastness, noting that as a custodian of constituencies one had to go above and beyond to reach every corner of his area of jurisdiction.

Mr Jakoba Hlabano proposed two additional constituencies for Maun to make a total of four constituencies to be called Maun East, Maun South, Maun North and Maun Central.

He suggested that Maun East should encompass every ward on the eastern side of Thamalakane River and stretch to Chanoga, Makalamabedi up until Phuduhudu.

Maun North, he said, should comprise wards in the centre of Maun being Newtown, Sedie, Matapana, Shorobe to Khwai.

Mr Hlabano stated that Maun Central would cover wards on the Western side of Thamalakane River being Thito, Shashe, Moeti and stretch to Xharaxau and Xhaxhaba while Maun South would be Nxaraga, Komana, Somelo and Toteng.

Meanwhile, Ms Bahentse Rema proposed two additional constituencies, arguing that two more constituencies would necessitate growth of services rendered to people.

She said due to the vastness of the district, service delivery was lacking in some areas.

“We all saw how social workers struggled to reach every part of our district during the lockdown when they delivered food hampers, which I believe can be solved by formulation of more constituencies.’’

Ms Rema said Ngamiland District was unique geographically due to the Okavango Delta, which was home to many Batswana who also required such services as those in Maun.

Mr Keoitse Kentshitswe held the view that Maun deserved four constituencies, adding that it was easy to demarcate Maun by means of using Thamalakane River as a borderline.

Moreover, he said an increase of constituencies would speed up growth in the district as government would take services to the people.

The Delimitation Commission chairperson, Justice Mokwadi Gabanagae informed residents that Maun East and Maun West combined had a population of 107 197 as per the last census.

He explained that the 41 000 quota per constituency clause should not confuse Batswana into thinking that if their numbers were below that their constituencies would be dissolved because there were other variables other than population considered in formulating constituencies.

These variables, he said, are culture, language, history, natural resources, infrastructure, geographical features and means of communication, among others. ENDS