30 Oct 2022

Residents of Mmathethe-Molapowabojang have called on government to devolve decision-making to the new Good Hope District Council after its establishment.

They expressed this on Wednesday at a kgotla meeting addressed  by Assistant Minister of Local Government and Rural Development, Mr Sethabelo Modukanele at Mmathethe.

Most of the residents hailed the idea of a full council as a good move, commending government for such decision.

Mr Modukanele had informed residents of government decision to elevate Good Hope Sub-council into a full council, a decision he said was necessitated by the desire to bring services closer to people.   “Our main aim is service delivery, we are trying to find ways and means to ensure that councils do not rely on delegated powers as that has proved to delay service delivery because of too much consultation,” he said.

Mr Modukanele said it was for that reason that government had taken a decision to upgrade 11 sub-councils in the first phase and funds permitting, others would follow  in future.

He told residents that they should not worry about tribal territories as the move would  not temper with those, emphasising that as Batswana they should feel free to get services closer to where they lived. Former Member of Parliament, Mr Peter Siele told the delegation that as residents, they were happy with the decision as they had been travelling long distances to access services in Kanye.

He was however pointed  out that all government departments should be up to the task if the idea was to work, saying it would be of no use if the move would be implemented by local government departments.

“We expect a fully functional council with all the departments such as upgrading of Good Hope Primary Hospital and the agricultural sector because most residents depends on this sector.”

Kgosi Tirontle Kgopo of Mokgomane gave the move thumbs up saying it was long overdue. He expressed delight that tribal territories would not be  tempered with. ENDS