02 Jul 2023

Some members of the Party Liaison Committee (PLC) have proposed for additional council wards in areas of Boseja, Disana and Boyei, considering the vastness of the area.

Making their submission before the demarcation committee on Friday, they argued that the areas were broad, thereby overstretching the councillors.

One of the members, Mr Kelesego Sokwe said Boseja ward deserved the third council ward, which would be named Boseja Central. He said the new ward would cover part of both Boseja North up to the graveyard and take part of Disana ward. Currently, Boseja has two wards, Boseja North and South.

He also proposed that the current Boyei and Disana wards should be divided into two, looking at its vastness. He said the new Boyei wards could be named Boyei North and South while Disana could be named Old Disana and New Disana wards respectively.

In support of Mr Sokwe, Mr Galebone Isaiah also called for two more polling stations at Thamalakane North, adding that the first one could be established at Exit 3 along the Disana-Matlapana road and the second one next Water Utilities Corporation water tank.

Mr Setlhare Englishman urged the committee to also consider dividing Sehithwa/Kareng ward and suggested that Kareng village should be paired with Makakung to be a ward while Sehithwa pairs with Legotlhwane village to be an independent ward.

Furthermore, he said Tsau and Semboyo villages as well as Bothatogo and Bodibeng also qualified to be independent wards.

Members urged the committee to also consider important issues such as communities’ lifestyles and other geographical features.

Earlier on the chairperson of the demarcation committee, Mr Thabang Waloka explained that Maun had qualified for the third constituency named Maun North.

He also appreciated that Okavango District had two more new districts of Ngami, Okavango East and West. He explained that there were factors that were taken into consideration such as the vastness and geographical aspect of the areas, among others.

With regard to the demarcation exercise, Mr Waloka explained that for a ward to qualify as a council ward, should have a population of over 4 000.

For North West, he said its quota stood at 4 719, but stated that some areas could not meet the quota, citing Khwai and Mababe. Nonetheless, he said other factors came into play in such cases because the areas were difficult to reach due to the terrain. Ends