14 Jan 2014

Tonota South MP, Mr Pono Moatlhodi has urged parents in his constituency to encourage their children to take education seriously and advise them to desist from becoming pregnant whilst they are still teenagers.

Addressing a kgotla meeting in Semotswane on Monday, MP Moatlhodi said according to a report that he received from Masedi Clinic in Tonota, the clinic registered 50 births on monthly basis and most of the mothers were teenagers. Mr Moatlhodi said it was also disheartening because most of the recorded births were by HIV positive mothers.

The MP encouraged people to go for HIV testing prior to becoming pregnant so that they could be enrolled in programmes such as Prevention from Mother to Child Transmission (PMTCT) at an early stage.

The Tonota South legislator informed the meeting that the delimitation committee had incorporated Mabesekwa and Foley villages into Tonota South.

He encouraged those who did not register in the previous general election registration to take advantage of the voter supplementary registration slated for February 21 to March 2. Still on matters pertaining to elections, MP Moatlhodi said government would investigate the Francistown West bye-elections petition irregularities.

Mr Moatlhodi raised a concern about the trend of selling plots. He indicated that between January and October last year, a total of 86 plots were allocated in Shashe Mooke and the owners had sold all of them. The MP said the trend caused a concern because some of the plots were sold to foreign nationals.

On issues discussed at the previous parliament session, Mr Moatlhodi said a Criminal Procedure and Evidence Bill was discussed and among others, it sought to introduce magistrates who specialised in corruption matters. He said another bill was the Building Societies Amendment which once implemented, would lead to the Botswana Building Society operating as a commercial bank and in rural areas as well.

On other issues, the MP encouraged pastors to thank God for answering the nation’s rain prayers. At the same meeting, Semotswane primary school head, Ms Grace Selalame commended the government for the 10 computers which were awarded to the school, together with the connection of internet.

Ms Selalame said with internet, the school results will continue to improve as teachers are better positioned to do research for their lessons. She said last year the standard seven results improved from 64 per cent to 68.4 per cent. Ms Selalame said although the performance did not improve that much, it is encouraging.

The area councillor, Mr Peter Williams implored the VDC to desist from making decisions that are motivated by their political affiliation. He encouraged them to unite and develop the village. ENDS