12 Feb 2025

Building robust and resilient local authorities will help them withstand any future uncertainties as well as financial hardships and shock.

Minister of Local Government and Traditional Affairs, Mr Ketlhalefile Motshegwa said when officiating at the Botswana Association of Local Authorities (BALA) National Elective Conference in Francistown on Tuesday.

With the financial situations the nation is in, Mr Motshegwa spoke of the need to do more with less adding that reduced revenue support should not be viewed as some form of setback but a foundation for innovation.

Therefore, he called on the authorities to innovate and start building revenue streams with an aim to reduce dependency on the national purse.

He also highlighted that during the recent budget engagement with council leadership, the Vice President, who is also the Minister of Finance, Mr Ndaba Gaolathe called upon councils to ensure that every thebe was put to good use and also for the entities to demonstrate a high level of accountability and prudent management of state financial resources.

Mr Motshegwa aslso said government through local government ministry had developed the National Decentralisation Policy and it was yet to be presented to relevant structures.

He further stated that the policy sought to grant local authorities greater autonomy by reducing the need for direct intervention by ministries in decision making and administration functions.

He mentioned that the idea behind establishment of the Local Government Association among others was to position local governance at the centre of every development discourse.

“We should use this platform to foster cohesion, discuss issues of common interest and engage government for continued lobbying and advocacy for policy reforms to be responsive to the ever-evolving socio economic delivery dynamics,” he said.

The minister encouraged the delegates to be mindful of the country’s unfavourable economic situation during the conference’s deliberations.

Meanwhile, Minister Motshegwa congratulated all the representative stating that as civil leaders, they were an epitome of local government practice, obligated to render services to communities.

“Our purpose and relevance are defined by societal needs, compelling us to be inclusive and engaging in our efforts to deliver on our mandate,” said Mr Motshegwa.

Minister of Environment and Tourism, who is also MP for Francistown South, Mr Wynter Mmolotsi said since government had transferred primary health care from Ministry of Health to local government, the development called for them to work hard and deliver the best care.

He appealed to the local authorities to take responsibility and care of the environment by ensuring waste collection and management, as well as to make an effort to convert waste into something useful. ENDS