15 Jul 2025

The Minister of Local Government and Traditional Affairs, Mr Ketlhalefile Motshegwa continued with his consultation over the National Decentralisation Draft Policy, emphasising government’s commitment to empowering local authorities and enhancing service delivery.

Addressing Tsabong District Full Council on Monday, Minister Motshegwa said councils by virtue of their proximity to communities, were best positioned to deliver responsive and effective public services.

A key focus of the minister’s address was the critical need to equip councillors and local government management with the necessary skills to navigate their expanded responsibilities under the new policy.

He said this would partly be achieved through the ministry’s partnership with the Botswana Public Service College, which would provide targeted training programmes for council leadership and staff. 

The initiative aims to build robust local governance structures capable of meeting the demands of a decentralised system, he said.

Minister Motshegwa also announced plans for a national symposium to re-engineer the role of local government, alongside the development of a model for a high-performing, modern council. 

He said these preparatory measures were crucial for the smooth and successful implementation of decentralisation.

Furthermore, the ministry was collaborating with the Botswana Association of Local Authorities (BALA) to establish a taskforce dedicated to assessing and improving the working conditions and welfare of councillors. 

The minister said for decentralisation to truly succeed, councils must evolve into agile, self-sustaining entities proficient in service delivery.

In a strong call for improved governance, Minister Motshegwa said the role of management within councils was to facilitate the vision of elected councillors, not to influence or manage their decisions. 

He advocated for a culture where councillors have timely access to information and an environment of true partnership between elected leaders and administrators in pursuing development goals.

Acknowledging historical imbalances in the distribution of national development, particularly from natural resources, the minister underscored the necessity of a paradigm shift.

 He stated that development must prioritise benefits for communities in resource-rich areas before expanding nationally, thereby promoting equity and social justice.

Mr Motshegwa confirmed that the National Decentralisation Policy Bill was slated to be tabled before the current Parliament session, contingent on prior preparatory work. 

He urged councils to proactively align their strategies with the forthcoming policy and ensure readiness within their existing budget allocations.

The councilors, in their response, expressed support for the decentralisation initiative. They echoed the sentiment for greater executive decision-making authority, noting their current roles were often largely ceremonial.

The councillors emphasised the importance of clear implementation timelines, adequate staffing, and proper budget provisions to guarantee the policy’s success. 

They also highlighted unique local opportunities for revenue generation, such as tourism, and called for swift reforms to ease the business environment.

To enhance access to public services at the grassroots level, councillors proposed dedicated office spaces in their respective areas. ENDS