23 Jun 2024

The Mayor of Francistown, Mr Godisang Radisigo, has revealed that government is yet to finalise plans for the 45 000 hectares of land acquired in the previous year. 

Government made a breakthrough in reclaiming the vast privately-owned freehold land, previously held by Tati Company Limited estimated at 45,000 hectares. The acquisition, costing over P1.4 billion, marks a crucial move towards addressing the land scarcity issue in the region. 

In an interview, Mr Radisigo said once the plans had been finalised, the distribution of the land would be in the best interest of the community and would contribute to the on-going development and growth of Francistown. 

The mayor explained that Francistown, being landlocked and surrounded  by freehold farms, has limited opportunities for expansion and development. Mr Radisigo, who pleaded for a slice of the 45 000 hectares of the land, also urged the government to take into consideration Francistown’s unique circumstances when allocating  land.  “A portion of it could be earmarked for the second city, allowing it to expand and grow,” he added. He said all the available plots in Francistown have been taken up, leaving no room for expansion. 

“And with the Gerald Estate also at capacity, with a long waiting list of prospective homeowners, it is imperative that we find a solution to this issue before the situation becomes untenable,” said Mr Radisigo. 

Mr Radisigo also pressed for a reconsideration of the borders between Francistown and the neighboring freehold areas, stressing the need for sufficient space for Francistown to flourish and evolve into a thriving metropolis.  “The boundary between Francistown and the neigbouring freehold farms is absurdly close. The city has essentially been squeezed into a small pocket of land, with no room to breathe or grow and I implore government to revise these boundaries,” he added. 

 Addressing concerns about the freehold farms south of Bisoli veterinary gate, north of Francistown, Mr Radisigo advocated for a balanced approach between the demands of cattle farmers and the preservation of local livestock health. He pointed out the risks associated with developing the land in this area, particularly in regards to controlling the spread of Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD).

He said the farmers in the North East District have indicated their desire to expand into these freehold farms. The farms south of Bisoli have historically acted as a buffer zone against the FMD, preventing the spread of the disease to Francistown and other areas.  “If these farms were to be developed, there is a real concern that the FMD could spread among cattle in the area, posing a serious threat to the livestock industry and potentially leading to an economic crisis,” he added. 

 In his State of the Nation Address (SONA), President Dr Mokgweetsi Masisi revealed that the North East District was one of the districts that was experiencing shortage of land due to the existence of freehold farms especially in the hands of Tati Company Limited. ends