23 Oct 2025

Communities have been urged to unite and work together to ensure the success and development of their villages.

Assistant Minister for Local Government and Traditional Affairs, Mr Ignatious Moswaane, made the call during a Kgotla meeting at Etsha 13 on Monday.

Mr Moswaane cautioned residents against internal conflicts, urging them instead to combine efforts for the common good. He said the new administration was committed to removing bottlenecks and reviewing regulations that hindered business operations in the country.

He emphasised the importance of having a shared community vision, saying development should be a holistic effort involving all members of society.

“You can form a council that includes young people and come up with ways to generate income for your village’s development,” he advised.

Mr Moswaane encouraged community members to apply for business plots and start enterprises regardless of their social standing, noting that everyone had a role to play in development.

He also called on political leaders to serve their communities without bias or party affiliation and to work closely with Village Development Committees (VDCs), as the new government prioritises people and development.

On VDC regulations, Mr Moswaane said they were still under review, adding that educational requirements might disadvantage some rural communities. He further urged community trusts to be accountable and to consult residents before using public funds.

Meanwhile, the assistant minister said government continued to face financial challenges, which had delayed the implementation of some promises, such as the P2,500 salary for Ipelegeng workers.

In his welcome remarks, Kgosi James Sivako of Etsha 13 said the village continued to face challenges, including a shortage of office and staff accommodation for public officers such as police. He noted that while the village clinic was upgraded from a health post in 2012, only staff houses were built, and the clinic facilities were yet to be constructed. ENDS