09 Sep 2024

 Deputy Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development, Mr Mpho Morapedi, has recognised Serowe District Council as a model for unity and collaboration.

 Speaking during the unveiling of district projects on Friday, Mr Morapedi highlighted the importance of collective efforts in achieving socio-economic prosperity.  

Mr Morapedi expressed his appreciation to the district leadership for the opportunity to participate in the celebrations of the council’s projects, which he deemed a tremendous success. 

He said that out of 430 planned projects across the district, 416 have been completed under the Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development, with the remaining projects expected to be finalised before the end of the 2024/25 financial year.  

Key projects unveiled include the Economic Recovery Transition Plan (ERTP), which has received over P5.5 million in funding, and the Constituency Community Project (CCP), totaling approximately P54.5million. Other initiatives include over P1.1 million for Backlog Eradication, P12.8 million for the Rural Area Dwellers Programme (RADP) and Orphan Care Housing, around P4 million for the Ipelegeng program, P9.9 million for the Self Help Housing Agency (SHHA), and about P13 million allocated for the Road Levy.   

The Deputy Permanent Secretary noted that the Ministry had engaged with stakeholders to identify priority projects for the district as part of a five-year plan commencing in 2019 and concluding in 2024.This consultative process has enabled communities to express their developmental needs transparently, aligning with the government’s mandate to improve communication with Batswana.Mr Morapedi also addressed the challenges of budgetary constraints, stressing that more projects would be rolled out across the district as funding allows.

He emphasised the government’s commitment to building a resilient economy following the COVID-19 pandemic, highlighting the ERTP’s role in providing wage protection and support to affected sectors. 

A notable achievement mentioned by Mr Morapedi was the upgrade of Serowe Sub-district to a fully-fledged district, which he described as a significant step towards improving local governance and services. 

In addressing the educational landscape, he pointed to the construction of new classroom blocks, particularly at Mogorosi Junior Secondary School. 

Ms Tshotlego Motshidisi, the school’s head, expressed gratitude for the classroom block, which accommodates 60 students and is expected to enhance academic performance among the school’s 306 students.   

“This classroom block is a vital asset for our educational capacity,” Ms Motshidisi noted, stressing the importance of education as the foundation for sustainable development in the country. ENDS