04 Jul 2023

Never before have residents of Takatokwane hosted such a high-powered delegation as during  President Dr Mokgweetsi Masisi’s recent visit to the village. 

June 30 was one such moment. 

While the sun rose in the east as usual, this time around the torpid hamlet of a little over 3 000 people in Kweneng West, was awakened to the thrill of a high-powered delegation of ministers led by President Masisi.

For many a villager, coming in close contact with the head of state was a dream come true. Since he assumed the presidency four years ago, President Masisi was visiting the village for the first time. The residents had longed to meet him physically. Together with the media, they arrived early, braving the extreme cold temperatures of that morning, following announcement that there was a kgotla meeting Dr Masisi was to address.

Arriving at the kgotla, President Masisi and his entourage of cabinet ministers arrived were received with applause and ululations. Cabinet ministers in President Masisi’s entourage included  Minister of Transport and Public Works, Mr Eric Molale, Minister of Labour and Home Affairs, Ms Anna Mokgethi, Minister of Education and Skills Development, Dr Douglas Letsholathebe, Minister of Health, Dr Edwin Dikoloti, Minister of Youth, Gender, Sport and Culture, Mr Tumiso Rakgare, Assistant Minister of Local Government and Rural Development, Mr Mabuse Pule, Assistant Minister of Agriculture, Mr Molebatsi Molebatsi, as well as some senior government officials.

As usual, the national anthem signalled commencement of proceedings. Later taking to the podium, President Masisi began by thanking Batswana for their unwavering support during his bereavement following the recent loss of his mother, MmaTshelang.

He encouraged the residents to leverage benefits derived from government initiatives to improve the beef sector by taking advantage of the latest consignment of high quality cattle breeds from the United States of America. President Masisi impressed upon them of the need for a viable and competitive value chain in the beef sector were Batswana to venture into a sustainable cattle industry.

“I want us to transform the cattle industry and I urge you to become the main players and in turn improve your livelihoods,” the President said.

He also encouraged the residents to take advantage of the abundant sand resource in their area. Through this, they could harness the Kalahari Sand building block, something the resident gleefully applauded.

President Masisi further assured them of government’s commitment towards water reticulation in every village, saying “metsi mo metseng e metona a goroga. Le lona mo Takatokwane re tlaa le timola lenyora.”

He said Botswana Meat Commission (BMC) would also be improved thereby encouraging the residents to take care and brand their cattle clearly and sell them to the meat commission.

On other issues, President Masisi said consultations were continuing on the review of the Constitution and assured the residents that among other issues to be considered would be bail applications. 

On rampant fire outbreaks in the village, he said the relevant ministry would look into the issue and consider having firebreaks. Further, he said government would continue allocating land as a basic need to citizens.

Residents were also told that government would continue to intensify efforts to fight gender based violence. They also heard that government would consider increasing the number of social workers as well as placing some in schools.

They were also informed that around P21 billion had been set aside for improvement of road infrastructure in the country hence Takatokwane and surrounding villages would benefit from the funds as well.

Villagers were also told that government was looking into having non-operational filling stations under government run by Botswana Oil or community trusts, Village Development Committees or any youth businesses.

Other issues that residents were apprised on included upgrading of Takatokwane clinic to include a maternity ward in addition to constructing staff houses under the two-year Transitional National Development Plan. Also, they were informed that owing to shortage of staff, government was considering clustering of clinics.

Nevertheless, the President said government was alive to a plethora of problems that affected rural communities including cross cutting issues of land allocation, water supply, employment creation and crime especially stock theft. President Masisi promised residents that government would ensure that challenges that Batswana faced were adequately addressed and services improved.

Earlier welcoming the President, Kgosi Viscos Tsiane appreciated government programmes geared towards uplifting Batswana.

Kgosi Tsiane thanked government for the 162 cattle which were recently bought from the US to improve cattle breeds, saying residents were ready to enjoy the benefits, particularly the Artificial Insemination initiative which was aimed at improving livestock quality and national herd. Reportedly, livestock numbers are particularly low in the Takatokwane area, with about 16 000 cattle, just over 4 000 and about 1000 sheep.

Kgosi Tsiane further took the opportunity to inform the President of some of the challenges in his village, among them, shortage of accommodation for public servants, shortage of clinic staff, medicines as well as the dilapidated clinic fence.

He also said shortage of transport to take patients to Scottish Livingstone Hospital in Molepolole was among their concerns.

He told the President and his entourage that the primary school in the village was dilapidated and needing maintenance as a priority. Kgosi Tsiane also decried lack of sewerage ponds as well as the poor state of roads.

He acknowledged issues surrounding land allocation, not only in his village but countrywide. However, he appreciated that the land board continued to consult with and engage residents.

He thanked the President for the Tshwaane Farm and requested that pending issues be resolved so that farmers in the area could benefit.

Meanwhile, the village leader appreciated efforts by the First Lady Neo Masisi, in the fight against gender-based violence.

“Give our best wishes to the First Lady. Tell her that we appreciate her and her efforts in the fight against gender based violence. We are thankful for blankets she also donated today. Re mo eme nokeng re le Dikgosi,” Kgosi Tsiane told the President who promised to relay the sentiments to Ms Masisi.

For her part, Village Development Committee (VDC) chairperson, Ms Mmanora Mokoma, said she was thankful that the area had since been upgraded to a fully-fledged district, but was hopeful that a sub-district would be established.

Ms Mokoma appreciated the ongoing electricity and water connection project under  Constituency Community Projects (CCP) at the school and village market. 

She also appreciated speedy allocation of plots as well as the Kalahari Sand Building Bricks project which she said had employed 20 people to make bricks from sand.

Further, she appreciated that the magistrate court had been availed in the village and welcomed the KgomoKhumo initiative which she said would assist in fighting rampant livestock theft.

Ms Mokoma informed the President that despite other developments, they were faced with a number of challenges.

She requested that the number of Ipelegeng workers be increased as well as the allowance for VDC members. She lamented shortage of food at Mahupu Unified School, which she said had seen some of learners, many a times, bunking lessons and going into the village or back to their homes. 

She emphasised the need for hot water at the school and raised concern about shortage of boarding assistants, indicating that they had since been reduced from 24 to the current 12.

She added that water in the area was a health risk and therefore advocated for remedial measures.

In addition, Ms Mokama indicated that the fuel point in the village was not operational and requested that it be refurbished and used as a catchment area to avoid driving long distance to Letlhakeng.

Shortage of social welfare officers, was among the challenges she outlined, indicating that currently there was only one who assisted Takatokwane and Maboane and surrounding catchment areas.

Ms Mokama requested that they be increased, saying a sizeable number would assist in tackling issues of gender based violence, murders, among other social ills. She also advocated for upgrade of the village clinic to a hospital given the vastness of the area and also increasing the number of nurses and doctors.

For one Tshepiso Jonas, who had narrated how his football team, Young Farmers, was struggling to compete in tournaments as a result of lack of a kit, his day was made as ministers raised about P2 750 to aid him offset the challenges the team was facing.

To complement the ministers’ contribution, the President entreated Mr Molebatsi to donate the complete set which would include home and away and training kits and boots as well as the coach’s outfit. 

The President also encouraged Jonas to form a women’s or girls’ team to which Mr Molebatsi and others would also provide the kit and other necessities.

The meeting would not have been complete without the area MP, Mr Friction Leuwe’s comments. Mr Leuwe thanked President Masisi for visiting the village. 

He requested that all promises made to his constituents be fulfilled. He said he would be happy to see the Kaudwane-Letlhakeng road and others in the area upgraded to bitumen standard.

Meanwhile, Takatokwane has had a steady population growth from 1 590 people in 2001, 3 733 in 2011 to about 3 444 according to the 2022 national population census.

The village is about 198km from Gaborone with a driving time of about two hours via Molepolole Road/A12 and with a driving distance of about 143km from Molepolole in about one hour 40 minutes. ENDs