21 Nov 2013

Residents of Tshwaane and Gookodisa near Moshupa have been given an early Christmas with the news that they have gained settlement status.

They expressed a huge collective sigh of relief when Minister of Local Government and Rural Development, Mr Peter Siele told them the news recently. This was a dream come true after years of struggle to have their settlements to be so recognised.

It also lifted the fear that they have been living with that they might be declared squatters and have their homes demolished. Addressing the anxious residents, who had came in droves Mr Siele said government took a deliberate decision to officially recognise the two settlements, although their population was way below the 500 threshold which was stipulated by the 2004 settlement policy.

He said in coming with the decision government had to overlook the population factor and consider other factors like history and uniqueness of the two areas to reach the decision. Mr Siele, who is also the MP for Ngwaketse South said Gookodisa, which straddles the Ngwaketse/Kweneng territory line had a rich historical background.

He said the village was established by the late Kgosi Bathoen II of Bangwaketse in 1934 with the view to having residents guard the boundary line for Bangwaketse, hence the recognition. As for Tshwaane, he said neither population nor the 10km radius rule could work for them and so government considered the fact that the village was far from Moshupa where they received goods and services.

Siele, who was accompanied by area MP Mr Mokgweetsi Masisi, said the two villages would be planned for in terms of resources like any other recognised village but advised residents not to expect too much overnight. A resident, Ms Seipitlo Gabanathuso of Tshwaane said the minister’s declaration would bring them peace as they now knew their homes would not be demolished.

Mr Ramejwana Pati of Tshwaane described the decision as an extension of the goodwill and democracy that existed in the country. Another resident and former councillor, Mr Ledibogo Thupane also thanked government for the dispensation rather than premising the whole matter solely on the population factor.

Mr Edward Keloneilwe of Goo-Kodisa was likewise applauded the government decision: “This means I can now plan for developments around here knowing that I will always be here. “Certainty is very important in life, that’s why many people who used to stay here have dispersed to different places due to the uncertainty that has been shrouding this place,” he said.

Another resident of Gookodisa Ms Dawn Matlhare said they had waited for a long time for the confirmation.  “It gives us hope that someday we will be allocated land that we will call our own here in Gookodisa,” she said.

Meanwhile, Mr Masisi has applauded residents of the two villages for the patience and understanding they exhibited throughout the struggle for recognition and advised them not to have grudges against Landboard members who had threatened to demolish their houses because they were merely doing their job.

Altogether seven settlements have been recognised and 51 others incorporated into existing settlements or villages nationwide. Ends