22 Jan 2026

Maun North Member of Parliament Mr Dumelang Saleshando has cautioned residents of Senonnori Ward in Maun against selling their residential plots out of pressure linked to development timelines and economic hardships.
Addressing them during a kgotla meeting on Wednesday, Mr Saleshando said the five-year development period attached to allocated plots had pushed many, particularly unemployed youth, into selling land out of fear of repossession.
He stressed that land remained one of the most valuable assets communities could hold, noting that its value increased over time and should not be surrendered for short-term relief.
The MP said government policies around land development timelines needed reconsideration to reflect current economic realities, especially for young and unemployed plot holders.
He added that extending the five-year development window could reduce the growing trend of plot sales in the country while allowing beneficiaries a fair chance to mobilise resources.
“For some of us who are working, the five-year period to develop land is fine but for the unemployed, especially youth, it is a disadvantage and it needs to be changed,” he said.
Mr Saleshando also warned residents against occupying or inhabiting land that had not been officially allocated to them, stressing that such actions were illegal and often resulted in financial losses when land boards enforced evictions.
He assured the community that he would continue engaging the land board and relevant authorities to fast-track plot allocation processes and address long-standing delays.
Speaking on behalf of the traditional leadership, Mr Kenson Kgage said some residents have sound ideas of businesses that they could pursue from home but cannot actualise their dreams because of lack of access to land for residential purposes.
He said access to land could unlock economic opportunities and afford such people long-term financial stability, noting that delays in land allocation was a stumbling block to the financial freedom of many.
Mr Kgage noted that the delays also denied residents dignity and a sense of belonging, leaving many feeling marginalised, both economically and socially.
Meanwhile, a representative from Innovation Kgotla, Ms Tshepiso Botumile highlighted the role of technology in community upliftment, saying their organisation empowered community members through digital skills training.
She further said Innovation Kgotla encouraged residents to leverage the internet to improve livelihoods, access information and build sustainable economic opportunities. ENDS