08 Oct 2025

Vice President Ndaba Gaolathe has expressed gratitude to residents of Tsau in the Ngami Constituency for playing a significant role in shaping his life during his time as a Tirelo Sechaba participant in 1992.

Addressing a kgotla meeting in Tsau on Monday, Mr Gaolathe said their love and peaceful nature, contributed in moulding him into the responsible leader he was today.

As a Tirelo Sechaba participant, he was tasked with various responsibilities among them a court clerk, teacher and social worker.

His success, he said was a result of the support he got from Tsau residents and whom he regarded as his family.

He said the village was a melting pot of different tribes that included Baherero, Batawana, Bayeyi, Hambukushu and Basarwa who lived harmoniously together.

Mr Gaolathe was also thankful to them for embracing change and electing the Umbrella for Democratic Change, a party, whose government he assured was working tirelessly to address the challenges facing the country, including the decline in diamond sales. With that, he encouraged the residents to explore alternative means of making a living, such as profitable and sustainable agriculture, to improve their livelihoods.

Kgosi Goletwang Letsholathebe of Tsau raised concerns about the acute shortage of drinking water in the village, impact of drought and elephant attacks on crops.

He appealed to the government to consider building new tribal offices in the village and assist in addressing the increasing rate of criminal activities among youth.

Representing Village Development Committee, Mr Calson Kenosi, raised concerns about the poor condition of the tarred road between Tsau and Sehithwa.

He explained that the Vice President’s visit provided an opportunity for the residents to raise their concerns and for the government to engage with the community on issues affecting the village.

Area Member of Parliament, Mr Caterpillar Hikuama, highlighted the persistent drought situation in the Ngami District despite significant rainfall received during the previous ploughing season.

Mr Hikuama noted that although the government had declared 2025 not being a drought year, the Ngami District continued to grapple with drought conditions, a situation aggravated by human-wildlife conflicts, particularly with elephants. Another concern he said was the slow pace of compensation for damage to property caused by wild animals. ENDS