21 Aug 2022

The Delimitation Commission has learnt during its consultative meeting in Lerala recently, that there is need for the Lerala/Maunatlala constituency to be divided into two.

Given its vastness, Batswapong are of the view that the constituency should be divided to become Tswapong Central and Tswapong North.

Presenting before the commission, Ms Obakeng Samuel of Manaledi village suggested that the aspired Tswapong Central should comprise Lecheng, Malaka, Lerala, Majwaneng, Ratholo, Moeng, Goo-Tau, Goo-Sekgweng, Mathakola and Mokungwane.

As for Tswapong North, Ms Samuel said the constituency would be made of villages such as Moremi, Maunatala, Seolwane, Mokokwana, Diloro, Kgagodi, Lesenepole, Mosweu, Mogapi, Tamasane and Mogapinyana.

Concurring with other speakers, Mr Sebeela Sefhako of Goo-Sekgweng said villages such as Mogapi, Mogapinyana, Kgagodi, Diloro and Tamasane should be brought back to Tswapong as they were currently under Mmadinare constituency.

“These villages were taken from us without proper consultation.

We want them back in Tswapong to add to the numbers so that as Lerala/Maunatlala we can qualify for another constituency given the population,” he said.

Ms Monthati Mosarwa of Malaka said the need for another constituency was informed by the fact that the area Member of Parliament was overhwelmed with  kgotla meetings, having limited time to address constituents due to the broadness of the constituency.

Still on the issue of constituency vastness, Ms Mosarwa noted that such a situation resulted into villages getting a small share of the constituency funds.

Mr Samuel Molebalwa from Lerala also supported the idea of Lerala/Maunatlala constituency being demarcated.

He said the distance between Lecheng and Maunatlala was approximately 200 kilometres, which is too long a distance for the Member of Parliament to traverse to hold kgotla meetings.

For his part, former permanent secretary to the President, Carter Morupisi suggested that Lerala/Maunatlala constituency be renamed its original name, which was Tswapong North.

He also supported the idea of two constituencies, adding that they would be separated by the Tswapong hills. ENDS