29 May 2025

It is possible to build sustainable communities, which are capable of withstanding social and economic shocks, says Mahalapye District Council Deputy Chairperson Mr Tlhopho Gaolatlhe. Mr Gaolatlhe said this during a two-day training for community development officers.

He said the training marked a critical step in ongoing efforts to strengthen grassroots development and empower Batswana to grow into self-reliant, resilient, and proactive participants in their advancement. He said that the workshop sought to unpack the Sustainable Livelihoods Approach, a transformative development framework that is both practical and people-centered.

Mr Gaolatlhe added that the methodology was not just theoretical, but a holistic lens through which lives of the people they served were understood. He said that it recognised that individuals and households relied on a diverse range of assets - natural, human, social, financial, and physical to sustain their livelihoods.

“It also acknowledges the vulnerabilities they face and the institutional structures that shape how these assets are accessed and used,” said Mr Gaolatlhe.

Mahalapye Principal Community Development Officer, Mr Gerald Mahumba said sustainable development required interventions that cut across multiple sectors like health, education, agriculture, infrastructure, and therefore the training would enable community development officers to design integrated development plans that address connected challenges such as poverty, unemployment, gender inequality and environmental degradation.

“The training will help officers to identify local capacities, assess vulnerabilities, and support resilience-building strategies which includes preparedness for shocks such as climate events, economic downturns, or social disruptions,” he stated.

Mr Mahumba emphasised that the training would foster skills in coordination, negotiation, and joint planning, enabling officers to mobilise resources, align objectives, and ensure that development efforts are not duplicated but instead complement each other for maximum impact.

Poloka Community Development Officer from Otse Mr Oabile Mothethi commended Mahalapye District Council for hosting them for the training.  ENDS