21 Jul 2022

Thousands recently took advantage of the Ministry of Lands and Water Affairs community outreach to register their land rights. 

The community outreach process, which began July 4-14, forms part of the production of secure land titles under the new Tribal Land Act, 2018, according to the ministry’s Principal Public Relations Officer, Ms Idah Maele.

Ms Maele told BOPA in an interview that the stalls erected at Gaborone Main Mall, Bus Rank and Department of Surveys and Mapping marked their continued efforts to take their services to the people and accelerate the registration for new secure land titles.

Ms Maele said the registration for secure land titles was part of government’s efforts to cut costs that land owners and government incurred.

She said with the new secure land title, there were reduced costs for citizens as there would be no need for private survey and conveyancing fees. 

She said the new titles would also unlock the economic value of tribal land, and there would be accurate and reliable information, which would improve prompt and informed decision-making.

Ms Maele said the exercise began on May 20 with a grand launch in Moshupa, where President Masisi was the first to be awarded the new secure land title. 

She said the exercise had been given only six months for everyone holding the land certificate to have registered and ultimately be furnished with the new secure land title.

She said for this pilot project they had roped in all main land boards being Ngwato, Kweneng, Kgatleng, Tlokweng, Rolong, Ngwaketse, Tati, Tawana, Chobe, Malete, Kgalagadi and Ghanzi to help Batswana to travel less.

Ms Maele said beginning July 25, her team would spend another two weeks in Francistown to service people in the northern region.

Therefore, she encouraged all tribal land title holders in the north to take advantage of the opportunity to register. 

She said after the exercise they would sort the registrations according to respective land boards in preparation for the commencement of printing of new secure land titles.

A client, Mr Gaone Mannathoko, shared his gratitude for the programme. Ends