13 Dec 2023

Some North West District councilors have acknowledged the impact of the private sector on socio-economic development in the district.

They were pleased that some companies in the district had reached out to assist in many aspects as part of their corporate social responsibilities and called on the council management to recognize the private sector efforts.

Making some submissions to the chairman’s speech, councillors emphasized the need for management to forge partnerships and collaboration with the private sector and create a thriving business environment that drives economic diversification and sustainable development in the district.

They appreciated the private sector was also playing a key role in community activities as well as providing lasting solutions to pertinent issues.

Cllr Ntlogelang Kebonyekgotla of Boyei  said government alone could not manage to meet the needs of the communities and thus appreciated the contribution made by the private sector.

However, he pleaded with the council to consider fostering partnerships with the private sector to explore for further developments in areas such as education to improve the declining academic performance in the district.

“While we appreciate the good work done by some companies in the district, we appeal to our management to take the private sector on board and see if they could partner in some areas to drive developments,” he added.

Also, Mr Kebonyekgotla called for the Public Private Partnership (PPP) model which he told the council played a significant role in the development agenda as it accelerated infrastructure development and stimulated economic growth.

Cllr Oabile Chombo of Shorobe/Sankoyo implored the council management to consider convening a breakfast meeting to award certificates of appreciation to all companies that had come forth to complement the government efforts in developing the communities.

Some of the companies, he said, had taken steps to address some challenges faced by the council. One such company is Elephant Havens Foundation, which  had invested a lot in the education sector and the community in hisw area.

Elephant Havens is a non-government organization that protects orphaned elephants so that they benefit all of Batswana and also assist in improving the livelihoods of the community they operate in.   

The company, he said, had bought a combi that transports Shorobe Primary School pupils who travelled long distances to access education adding that “the pupils can now travel safely to school and avoid harrowing long walk through corridors frequented by dangerous animals such as elephants and buffaloes”.

Cllr Chombo also appreciated that the foundation had promoted the use of technology in the same school by donating laptops and providing some tents to address the shortage of classrooms.

Cllr Lekonne Masoko of Bombadi/Shashe shared fellow councillors’ sentiments and cited in particular Beyond Safari Company, saying it was working with the communities to ensure they have access to clean drinking water.

He said the company, which operates some lodges in the famous Okavango Delta was indeed living its vision to leave a legacy and make a meaningful contribution to the development of both the people and wildlife.

However, in his speech, the council chairman, Mr Itumeleng Kelebetseng appreciated the role played by the private sector in the district and alluded to the fact that just recently, the Orange Foundation handed over gadgets for use by learners at Khwai and Legothwana primary schools, a gesture that sought to bridge the digital divide and ensures technology inclusion.

 He told the council that Khoemacau mine had also donated P40,000 towards the preparations of the just-ended Miss RADP Pageant & Mr RADP Fashion Show while Kentucky Fried Chicken (KFC) through their Add Hope social responsibility group, donated food hampers to 100 vulnerable children in Maun. Sefalana wholesale, he said, donated food hampers to 22 unprivileged families of Ntlhayagodimo Ward. 

World Group of Companies donated school shoes, school bags, blankets, lollipops, netball and football to Gxabara and Tawana primary schools, he said.

Furthermore, Mr Kelebetseng relayed that Botswana Housing Corporation (BHC) had in support of the government’s digital transformation refurbished a lab and donated five computer workstations and a printer to Sekgoma Primary School.

He also appreciated that the tourism company And Beyond donated a borehole and equipment to Tsutsubega farmers and also handed over a playground to Sexaxa Primary School while the Tawana Land Board donated 31 cartons of milk to Khweeosee Primary School at Somelo.

“This is a gesture I truly value and wish to urge other corporate entities to come on board and give back to the community,” he added. ENDS