22 Oct 2025

Promoting the use of solar energy to generate electricity in production areas has been identified as a key contributor toward the country’s food security aspirations.

Contributing to the chapter on mining and energy sector strategy in the draft National Development Plan 12 (NDP 12) on Monday, legislators underscored the need for government to invest in solar energy to capacitate farmers to produce more.

Member of Parliament for Okavango West, Mr Kenny Kapinga implored the ministry to facilitate farmers to use solar system to power their boreholes.

He noted that the development would not only reflect on government’s commitment to improving the country’s renewable energy goals, but also contribute toward improving the agricultural sector.

Mr Kapinga also emphasised the need for government to take lead in promoting the transition to clean energy by using if for daily activities and operations.

On vandalism of power equipment, Mr Kapinga said there was need to develop a clear plan to augment what the police were already doing.

“You should come up with a plan that is not spearheaded by the police but by your ministry, to indeed show your concerns for vandalism,” he said.

Maun West MP, Mr Caterpillar Hikuama also said there was need to connect production areas with electricity in order to improve rural electrification and universal access. He noted that this would boost production and create employment opportunities at the farms.  “There is need to connect electricity to production areas as this can also enhance irrigation systems for increased agricultural production,” he said.

For his part, Jwaneng/Mabutsane MP, Mr Omphemetse Kwapa said investing in attaining 100 per cent universal access to electricity would also enhance other essential sectors such as health services in rural areas. 

He said health care services were limited in some rural areas, owing to lack of refrigeration services for drugs.

However, Mr Kwapa called for a compensation plan for informers to curb vandalism of cables. “Most culprits are well known in their communities, and we should consider introducing a compensation plan to motivate informers and also create employment in the local communities,” he said.

He also said deploying the use of modern technologies such as drones would go a long way in complementing police efforts in curbing vandalism.

On other issues, MPs called for interventions to close revenue gaps in the mining industry, as it was one of the key factors in economic transformation.

Mogoditshane East MP, Mr Letlhogonolo Barongwang said government should obtain 15 per cent shareholding in all mining projects as stipulated by the law.

He also said the expenses incurred in the mines which were under care and maintenance should be converted to shareholding. “The amount of expenditure of mines which are under care and maintenance is high and these should be converted to shareholding. We should also recapacitate mines which are under liquidation to get more value from them,” he noted.

MP for Thamaga/Kumakwane, Mr Palelo Motaosane decried illegal sand mining in his area, which he said deprived local communities to benefit from their natural resources.

Consequently, he said village trusts and Village Development Committees should be licensed to generate income for the natural resources in their communities such as sand mining. “Sand mining is a lucrative commodity and we are concerned about its illegal mining which leave our rivers deformed,” he said BOPA