12 Nov 2023

Women remain the backbone of many households in the country, therefore it is important to empower them through business-related training.

Kgalagadi North legislator, Ms Talitha Monnakgotla expressed these sentiments in her response to the State-of-the-Nation Address on Thursday. 

Citing her constituency, Ms Monnakgotla said most small businesses such as tuck-shops in rural areas were operated by women.

As such, she urged government to come up with a special fund to assist them.

Also, she added that her constituency had a high potential for tourism-related businesses which could be used to improve the livelihood of women and boost the economy.

Despite that, Ms Monnakgotla said the constituency was still lagging behind in development infrastructure such as roads, telecommunications, and reliable supply of potable water and electricity, which could improve accessibility.

She hailed hosting of major activities in the districts by government and other stakeholders as a move that would go a long way in boosting the rural economy.

She said this would translate to empowering the local communities with the understanding of hosting events and in turn boosting businesses in hotel and catering.

Despite the challenging environment, Ms Monnakgotla said the residents of the area, primarily through livestock production, were striving to improve their livelihoods.

She said stock theft, predators, saline water, and delay in compensating damage by wild animals as well as shortage of pastures due to wildfires, including land that was in the wildlife reserve areas, affected the support structure of livelihoods.

Ms Monnakgotla said through the Rural Development Council, the community of Zutshwa was engaged in a salt production project, though not fully effective due to the afore mentioned challenges in the area.

Ms Monnakgotla also added that communities in her area were equally engaged in arable agriculture, adding that the new Temo Letlotlo programme would serve as a boost to increased production. 

She applauded government for the revamped Artificial Insemination (AI) programme, appealing for the maintenance of facilities at Phuduhudu AI Camp as well as the gravelling of the road to Kgainyane AI Camp, which she said was difficult to access due to heavy sand.

On other issues, Ms Monnakgotla appealed for maintenance works to be done at Hukuntsi and Kang airstrips. 

She also indicated that Kang Clinic must be upgraded as it served a large population, including people from surrounding areas and the majority of travellers and tourists using the Trans Kalahari Highway.

Ms Monnakgotla said it was important for the country to improve its relations with other nations, regionally and abroad. 

She said the move would boost trade relations, education and technology exchanges. ends