06 Nov 2023

Government is committed to achieving a dignified life for all citizens by providing social protection programmes and economic empowerment opportunities under the National Framework for Social Protection.

Delivering a State-of-the-Nation Address on Monday in Gaborone, President Dr Mokgweetsi Masisi said the necessary structures were being established to facilitate compliance, promote inclusive participation, provide funding and develop skills for targeted citizens.

“Accordingly, the implementation and monitoring of the Economic Inclusion Act of 2022 will be intensified across all sectors of the economy to protect our citizens,” he said.

Dr Masisi highlighted that so far, there were 29 social welfare and economic programmes that aim to eradicate poverty, reduce inequality and mitigate against the vulnerabilities of the citizens, by availing options for earning a decent living.

He said community development-based programmes such as cooperatives, Community Based Natural Resource Management (CBNRM) and Local Economic Development were examples of such programmes.

Meanwhile, he said government had invested over P2.85 billion in the Constituency Community Programme to fund 4 929 projects across all 57 constituencies since its inception five years ago, adding that the projects included public infrastructure projects such as classrooms, recreation and internal roads.

He said the projects had employed a cumulative total of 19 682 Batswana, pointing out that the programme would continue to be implemented for all constituencies including the new ones, which would be restricted to internal roads.

He said particular attention would be given to ensuring that local resources including equipment were mobilised for greater Batswana participation, adding that the projects would be monitored and evaluated to ensure timely and quality delivery, saying “That’s the broad strategy to fight youth unemployment.”

Highlighting the reformed Ipelegeng Programme, he said it was being implemented using the new Skills Development Model, which combines training with production, to train artisans (Trade B) while they work on community development projects.

“So far, 126 beneficiaries have been accredited by the Construction Industry Trust Fund in construction trades such as bricklaying, plastering, carpentry, plumbing, electrical, painting, tiling and paving,” he said.

He pointed out that the accredited artisans had completed a few projects, adding that there was an ongoing training of 851 beneficiaries and other 2 500 would be enrolled before the end of the financial year.

Meanwhile, Dr Masisi said as 2023/24 had been declared a drought year, government has put in place drought mitigation measures, which included the 30 per cent subsidy for selected vaccines, feeds for livestock and non-traditional sectors such as dairy, piggery, aquaculture and poultry.

On other issues, Dr Masisi highlighted that 292 of the planned 344 units for the current financial year had been delivered as government’s commitment to ensuring access to affordable and decent housing for all, adding that the remaining 52 units were expected to be completed and handed over to beneficiaries by the end of the financial year. Ends