01 Nov 2023

Government departments must embrace Ipelegeng Skills Development Component (ISDC) which aims to upskill beneficiaries on various construction proficiencies, the Assistant Minister of Local Government and Rural Development, Ms Talita Monnakgotla, said,

Addressing public officers at Ncojane recently, Ms Monnakgotla said ISDC has been formulated to enable beneficiaries to graduate from traditional Ipelegeng programme by acquiring relevant skills that they would use to earn a living.

To achieve that, she said, the ministry has partnered with Construction Industry Trust Fund (CITF) to spearhead skills’ transfer through on-job trainings in various community projects that would be carried across different constituencies.

She decried that most emerging youth contractors were alleged not to be considered for tendering jobs because lacked expertise. She said it would be the thing of the past because with ISDC, they would be able to tender for community projects using skills acquired which in the long run enable them efficiently and effectively deliver on projects.

She implored departments to decentralise their funds to allow CITF and other relevant stakeholders to conduct cyclic maintenance of buildings to prolong their lifespan.

Charleshill’s Acting District Council Secretary, Mr Samuel Aaron, said ISDC was a commendable effort aimed at empowering youth and communities uplift their lives. He said it would also reduce unemployment among communities through usage of acquired skills and expertise to sustain their lives.

He encouraged communities to take up the programme in large numbers to acquire necessary skills that through them they could earn a living and improve their households as well.

Giving the overview of ISDC, regional Ipelegeng coordinator, Mr Letsogile Seretse, said they had embarked on a community project at the Village Development Committee (VDC) farm where trainees would construct an ablution block and farm houses.

The project which started on March was scheduled for completion on August but because trainees lacked experience they were trainned during the construction processes which contributed to delayed completion of the project.

He said he was pleased with the outcome of the project as he said they started with 26 trainees but ended with 25 but that did not affect their progress. He said from a budget of P456 000 they have used P300 000.

Member of Parliament for Ghanzi South, Mr Motsamai Motsamai, implored communities to embrace ISDC which he said would reduce their dependency on government for food baskets as many beneficiaries would be able to fend for their households.

He said because ISDC had proven to bring positive benefits to communities, ministries must avail sufficient funds and other needed resources to ensure continuity of the programme to sustain lives. ENDS