18 Dec 2023

In a bid to promote vibrant local economy, the North West District Council benchmarked on the formation and implementation of the Local Economic Drive (LED) Strategy.

Apprising stakeholders during chairman’s ball, the Council Chairman, Mr Itumeleng Kelebetseng, who was part of the benchmarking team said they aimed to promote and build sustainable and vibrant local economy at district level and ultimately contribute to transforming the national economy from middle income to high income by 2036.

With the right mind-set, he said, they would achieve that through unity of all stakeholders and urged all to embrace change for the betterment of the lives of communities. He added that the council had nurtured a thriving entrepreneurial ecosystem, encouraging businesses and startups to flourish.

Additionally, he said, education and innovation remained at the forefront of their agenda throughout the year. They invested a lot in schools, equipping them with state-of-the-art resources to foster a conducive learning environment.

“By embracing innovation and fostering a culture of lifelong learning, we are laying the foundation for a prosperous and inclusive society,” he added. “However, we must acknowledge that there is still much work to be done. We face ongoing challenges, ranging from socio-economic disparities to public health concerns,” he added.

Mr Kelebetseng said it was ideal that they continue to address these issues head-on, with empathy and determination, noting that by fostering dialogue and collaboration, they could find sustainable solutions and ensured that no member of the community was left behind.

Throughout the year, the council worked tirelessly to improve the quality of life for all residents of Ngamiland, citing that the focus on infrastructure development led to the successful completion of most of spill over projects save for the new primary school at Senonnori and construction of Batawana tribal offices.

The efforts not only enhanced the district’s appeal, but also provided new avenues for leisure and connectivity. He thanked people of Ngamiland and stakeholders who supported the municipality in delivering efficient and effective services to Batswana.

He appreciated that the unwavering support and resilience had been the driving force behind their collective achievements adding that together, they had navigated through difficult times, overcoming obstacles and emerging stronger than ever.

The sense of community, camaraderie and determination displayed by each and every one of them was truly inspiring hence they were currently planning a session before the end of this financial year to recognize and appreciate stakeholders for their support and contributions.

He added: “As we embark on a new year, let us remember the power of unity and collective action.

Together, we have proven time and time again that we are capable of achieving remarkable things. Let us embrace opportunities that lie ahead, armed with resilience, compassion, and an unwavering commitment to progress. I have full faith in our ability to shape a brighter future for our district.” ENDS