24 Nov 2022

Residents of Artesia and surrounding areas have submitted before the delimitation commission that their constituencies be named Kgatleng and not Mochudi.

They argued that the name Mochudi East and West was not unifying because it left out  other villages, saying that naming the constituencies as such, implied the that  Mochudi was above other villages. 

 Residents said Kgatleng population warranted that a third constituency should be established.

Artesia deputy chief, Kgosi Benjamin Lesang argued that a third constituency should be named Kgatleng Central while the existing Mochudi East and West should be named Kgatleng East and Kgatleng West.

A representative from Leshibitse village was of the view that the delimitation commission should consider rearranging some of the villages such as Bokaa to form part of Mochudi  West and not Mochudi East as it was currently the case.

From Dikgonnye settlement, Mr Keith Kgwefane suggested that Kgatleng East should comprise of the villages - Oodi, Matebele, Mokatse, Modipane, Dikwididi, Mmamashia and all river villages that currently make up Mochudi East Constituency

He also said the Kgatleng West should be formed by some of the villages that made up the constituency, but should also include Bokaa and exclude Pilane, Morwa, Rasesa, Malotwana so that they form the proposed new Constituency that should be called Mochudi.

While he acknowledged that Kgatleng district was not vast, he was of the view that it consisted of some settlements that were considered remote, which were neglected and needed to be developed.

Another resident, Lelatlhego Khana of Kgomodiatshaba contended that whereas the numbers warranted that a third constituency be established, the district does not deserve a third constituency. 

He said the villages were within the same radius and that the only worrisome factor was that some MPs were given ministerial positions and could not visit their constituencies frequently. 

Concillour for Mosomane, Mr Tshepo Ruele also suggested that a third constituency was critical because the numbers had surpassed the quota ideal for making up a constituency. 

He argued that the constituencies be named Kgatleng Central, Kgatleng East and Kgatleng West. Cllr Ruele also concurred with other speakers that village names should not be used in naming of constituencies as that was derogative.

Meanwhile Dikgonnye Kgosi, Mr Ishmael Rakgati differed with other speakers that numbers were not the only basis for creation of the third constituency and that should their wishes not be granted, they should not despair because the four envisioned constituencies were meant for consideration across the country.

Earlier on, a member of the commission, Ms Elizabeth Masire had apprised residents about the criteria used to delimitate constituencies that would see four more constituencies being established to increase the number from 57 to 61.

She said ideally each constituency should have same number of inhabitants that was calculated by dividing the total population with the 61 envisaged constituencies, which the current quota suggested 38 682 people per constituency, based on the latest population census report.

She also informed residents that constituencies could not be delimited presenting exactly equal population in all cases because of unique features of some places such as geographical features that should be taken into consideration, citing an example of some sparsely populated constituencies with vast administrative areas. 

Ms Masire said the delimitation exercise also avoided breaking administrative districts. ENDS