20 Nov 2023

 Bobonong MP, Mr Taolo Lucas has challenged political leaders to focus on initiatives that will result in improved livelihoods.

Contributing to the State-of- the-Nation Address in Parliament on November 16, Mr Lucas said marginalised groups of the society were left behind and not benefitting much from the tailored programmes.

He said among them, the unemployed in particular the youth, disabled and those who reside in remote areas formed part of the marginalised group and urged government to come up with clear indications of how it would resuscitate their hope of a better future.

Looking at figures from Statistics Botswana in regard to unemployment, he said indications were that currently 200 000 people mostly graduate youth were looking for jobs and remained hopeful while another 110 000 were discouraged job seekers.

Additionally, Mr Lucas advised government to tap into the manufacturing industry, which he described as one of the key drivers of the economy to create jobs.

Strongly advocating for a ‘living wage’ rather than minimum wage, Mr Lucas said the wages should correspond to the cost of living and be pegged not on anything under P3 500. 

He said the cost of living was high with food prices having increased over the years.

He said currently Ipelegeng was considered by many, especially the marginalised group, as source of employment.

The MP further called for resourcing of people with disabilities to cushion their lives. 

“We must have district officers for disability. Some of them are unable to move around as they do not have wheelchairs,” he said.

He also talked the same about Remote Area Dwellers, saying since they were living in less developed areas, they must be adequately resourced in line with challenges they were facing. 

“They deserve special support, give them special dispensation,” he said.

Mr Lucas also added that small business plying in the informal market must be considered as drivers of the economy.

He said while there was need to regulate and monitor sustainable use of veldt products such as phane, firewood and thatching grass, balance should be struck to ensure that the harvesters were not disadvantaged by permit fees since for them it was source of livelihood. ENDS