20 Feb 2014

The Assistant Minister of Finance and Development Planning, Mr Vincent Seretse believes disadvantaged Batswana can escape abject poverty if they show keen interest and dedication in poverty eradication projects.

Speaking during an interview after touring poverty eradication projects in Kopong and Gakuto in Kweneng District, Mr Seretse said passion and commitment could ensure that beneficiaries reap the rewards of the poverty eradication programmes.

He added that beneficiaries in areas that he visited had shown great appreciation for government’s assistance as they were able to take care of their families.

“They are now able to fend for themselves as they no longer depend on government hand-outs,” he said. Mr Seretse added that while the poverty eradication programme faced challenges such as shortage of transport, success was guaranteed if both beneficiaries and government employees fully participated to give strategic direction to the programme.

Mr Seretse also expressed dissatisfaction with the uptake level of 17 other poverty eradication packages such as bee-keeping and bakery which are non-water based. During the tour, he met directly with the owners of five projects that include goats, gardens, saloon, textile and catering projects.

One of the beneficiaries, Ms Keitumetse Masori said her goats were regularly terrorised by village dogs. She also said she faced a challenge of shortage of feed for her goats. Ms Masori revealed that she was given 10 goats last year May.

Meanwhile, officials from the Ministry of Agriculture had advised small stock owners to feed their animals with stalks and debris from their fields and also plant lablab to use as feed during times of drought.

Another beneficiary, Ms Yvonne Thebeyakgosi, who was sponsored for a hair salon in conjunction with three others, said they were forced to operate separately as they were unable to secure premises form which they could run their salon.

 For her part, Ms Dimakatso Mooketsi said her catering business was doing well.  She was given catering equipment and P3 000 to purchase stock and kickstart her business. Ends