03 Feb 2014

Batswana are looking forward to the national budget to be presented before Parliament today, February 3.

Most of them however said they did not know anything about the budget and what it entailed. This is what they had to say:

Nicole Lepele, 20, of Mogoditshane:

“I want the budget to address issues of unemployment. Mogoditshane internal roads should be paved and streetlights installed. However, I believe we are still in an economic recession as there is still high level of unemployment and the country continues to face financial challenges.

Mpho Seabe, 25, of Moshaweng:

“I would like to see developments carried out, especially in Moshaweng. The road linking the village with Molepolole should be tarred. We have long asked for the tarring of this road as it is difficult to reach services in Molepolole due to poor road condition and no operator is interested in the route given the status of the road.

Moshaweng has electricity, but we would like a junior secondary school as students from the village are admitted at other areas such as Artesia and Sojwe. The village should be attractive to investors as there are also no shops there.

Lesedi Bodilonyane, Monde Ratsatsi and Maikutlo Tina, schoolmates at Gaborone Universal College of Law:

“Student allowances should be increased. Imagine students who come from far areas. The P1 400 monthly allowance is not enough as they have to pay rent, buy stationary, food and also pay for transport to school.

There are high levels of unemployment, while the government has played its part by availing various programmes, the onus remains on the youths to take advantage of them. Some of the youths are selective despite the difficult economic situation they live in and others have turned down offers only because they want to live in urban areas.

Kopelo Setsoma, 43, of Modipane, a vendor at the Gaborone Bus Rank: “I am not aware of the budget because we are never included in the process. If it could address our issues as vendors then it would be highly welcomed, but as things stand, I don’t think it has any impact on my life. We have been harassed by the Gaborone City Council as we are not allowed to sell from the bus rank, but it is our only source of livelihood. Will the budget speech address these issues?” ENDS