04 Feb 2025

Local Authorities should explore ways to develop their districts, Assistant Minister of Local Government and Traditional Affairs, Mr Ignatius Moswaane advised during a consultative meeting with the Okavango District leadership in Gumare recently. 

Mr Moswaane said councils should avoid sole dependence on government for funds and come up with ways to improve revenue collection in order to develop their areas.

He said community trusts could be explored to fund development. 

He encouraged the district leadership to utilise the Constituency Community Project (CPP) Fund to develop the area with projects such as guesthouses, shelters for entrepreneurs and boreholes. 

Ngami Member of Parliament, Mr Philemon Aaron said the Okavango District Council deserved a special dispensation in budget allocation since the area faced many challenges such as high unemployment and poverty rate.

He suggested  that Gumare should have community trust, to help create employment. 

Gumare’s chief, Kgosi Moitshepi Molelwa, said Okavango Junior Secondary School in Gumare should be upgraded into a unified school to help accommodate students from other parts of the district. ENDS