01 Jun 2025

Mabutsane District councillors are optimistic that Botswana National Decentralisation Policy will contribute towards enhancing developments and improving effective service delivery. They appreciated that empowering local authorities and giving them more powers and responsibilities on local developments would promote accountability.  

This came about during a consultative meeting addressed by the Minister of Local Government and Traditional Affairs, Mr Ketlhalefile Motshegwa on Friday. Sekoma ward councillor, Mr Kekaetswe Mosarwa noted that empowering local government structures would expedite decision-making and subsequently have a positive impact on service delivery.

“This is a welcome development and it will enhance service delivery to the communities. It will also promote accountability while at the same time result in fast decision making from the local structures who are on the ground,” he said.

He further underscored the need to establish investment committees within the structures, mandated with driving generating income for the council. He also said that robust strategies be put in place to strengthen and capacitate the administrative and human resource functions.

Mabutsane ward councillor, Mr Keberekile Pule noted that even though they welcomed the policy for enhancing local governance, they were concerned about the low development budget they received from the government. He said the funds were not adequate to drive developments in the district.

“We are always constrained by financial challenges to effectively deliver developments to the people. Developments are lagging behind in our district and we therefore request the government to consider bringing big infrastructural developments that could also reduce rural-urban migration,” he said.

Specially nominated councillor, Ms Gorata Phakedi underscored the need for umbrella village development committees to be formally included in council meetings as partners in local governance. She noted that such would give them an opportunity to contribute towards formulating and deliberating on development issues in the district. She also proposed that education and health sub-committees should convene monthly instead of quarterly, considering the current state of affairs in schools and health facilities.

The minister noted that the decision to transfer decision-making responsibilities and powers to local authorities intended to promote community-led development and empower them for effective and efficient service delivery. However, he noted that the transition called for capacitating local leaders to enable them deliver quality developments to the communities.

He also underscored the need for councillors and administrative staff to work harmoniously towards delivering services and monitoring developments in their jurisdictions. He said the clarity of roles would separate councillors as vision bearers from the operational arm of the council. ENDS