28 Aug 2025

Residents of Mongala Ward in Kanye are anxious about the drop of participation in the Ipelegeng programme, which has traditionally provided temporary employment to many individuals facing unemployment and poverty.

The reduction in available slots for the programme is particularly concerning, as it directly impacts their economic stability.

During a recent kgotla meeting addressed by Kanye West MP, Mr Victor Phologolo, vice chairperson of the Marapalalo Village Development Committee, Ms Dorcus Gadibotsile highlighted that the programme initially employed 104 individuals but has since decreased to only 84.

Ms Gadibotsile expressed that this reduction leaves many community members without employment opportunities, exacerbating poverty levels in the area.

Kanye District Council deputy council secretary - operations, Mr Emmanuel Swapo, acknowledged the programme’s role in addressing unemployment through short-term public works such as road maintenance and infrastructure improvement. However, he noted that budget constraints and policy changes have led to fewer job openings in recent times.

Mr Swapo reassured residents that following President Advocate Duma Boko’s announcement of the end of the drought season, the programme was expected to revert to its original employment numbers as indicated in the 2023/2024 financial year.

While he emphasised past challenges such as COVID-19 and drought, which had contributed to a temporary increase in Ipelegeng slots, he also pointed out that the current situation has resulted in 1 836 employment slots being allocated to the Kanye District, compared to 2 493.

He said the decrease had resulted in 657 fewer opportunities.

While residents were hoping for swift action to restore the programme’s capacity to offer more employment and alleviate their financial struggles, they remain hopeful that efforts would be made at both local and national levels to bring relief and opportunities to their community.

In the same kgotla meeting, Mr Phologolo shared updates from the recent parliamentary winter session, where six key bills were passed to address pressing economic, technological, and public health issues.

These included Value Added Tax (Amendment) Bill, which focuses on tax framework to support economic growth; Digital Services Bill for regulating emerging digital industries; Cybersecurity Bill for strengthening protections against cyber threats; Cannabis Bill for new policies to manage cannabis use and trade, to mention, but a few. ENDS