10 Sep 2024

Mogoditshane/Thamaga District Council will launch its new logo on October 10.

This was revealed by the District Council Chairperson, Mr Ofentse Mafoko, on Monday at the council’s full council meeting.

He explained that the district council logo had been approved by the Botswana Companies and Intellectual Property Authority (CIPA), noting the development as a significant achievement for the council.

 He also said the registration certificate that they had received further validated the new design, marking an important milestone in the council’s history.

  “I am delighted to share that the approval of the logo was finalised at the end of August 2024, and we have initiated the process of rewarding the category winners,” he said, adding that this step was a crucial part of their journey as it allowed them to honour the creativity and dedication of those who contributed their ideas to the  initiative.  “Recognition and celebration of their efforts is a key priority for us,” he emphasised.

In addition to the logo launch, the Mogoditshane/Thamaga District Council plans to introduce a toll-free number on the same day to demonstrate commitment to open communication and transparent governance.

“We believe that easy access to information and effective communication are vital components of good governance,” he stated.

 The council chairman further highlighted positive developments in waste management within the Mogoditshane/Thamaga District.

Despite some challenges in securing funds, he said the Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development had pledged P9 million in 2023 for the procurement of compactor trucks, and in August 2024, an additional amount of over P14 million had been approved for vehicles and other waste collection services.

 Mr Mafoko emphasised the council’s commitment to improving waste management services, citing the environmental health department’s innovative initiatives as having already yielded notable improvements in service delivery.

Mr Mafoko also shared notable developments in the health sector within the district.

 One key issue identified was the lack of intermediary facilities between primary health clinics and the tertiary Princess Marina Hospital, causing congestion and strain on emergency services.

In response, he announced that the Ministry of Health had allocated funds for the construction of a new hospital in the Ledumadumane area, with the Mogoditshane Sub-land Board generously donating the land for this project.

 The hospital’s design and associated staff housing were currently in the planning phase.

Mr Mafoko further pointed out the district’s proactive steps in preparing for potential future pandemics.

He noted that in response to lessons learned from the COVID-19 pandemic, a centralised response body, the Botswana Public Health Institute had been established to monitor pandemic-prone diseases and coordinate response strategies.

 In addition, a new 20-bed isolation facility is under construction at Lesirane Clinic, aimed at addressing the isolation constraints experienced during the COVID-19 crisis and enhancing the district’s capacity to handle future public health emergencies.

The council chairman acknowledged that drug availability remained a significant challenge, with the percentage of available drugs decreasing from 63.7 per cent to 54 per cent.

Despite these difficulties, Mr Mafoko expressed satisfaction with the Central Medical Stores’ efforts to procure essential chronic medications for hypertension and diabetes.  He also noted that referring patients to private pharmacies has been beneficial in increasing the availability of chronic medication for those who need it.   ENDS