Kgalagadi North District chairperson, Mr Stephen Lekgobero, underscored the importance of embracing digital advancements to unlock the immense potential within communities and create sustainable growth opportunities.

“We recognise the importance of embracing digital advancements to unlock the immense potential within our communities and create growth opportunities,” said Mr Lekgobero when officially opening the council session.

With a digital economy, the council hopes to empower citizens, enhance efficiency and drive sustainable development.

Therefore, councillors and heads of department were challenged to prepare for a new era of governance centred on the promotion of human rights and inclusivity for every citizen, regardless of gender, tribe or economic status.

Councillors were reminded that government had long introduced an affirmative action programme targeting women, youth, children and marginalised communities such as the Basarwa.

“Affirmative action is not just a policy to be implemented by the council only, but it is a policy that must be enforced by all government institutions and the private sector. I therefore urge swift implementation of the Affirmative Action Act,” said Mr Lekgobero. 

While commending progress made so far, he cautioned against complacency and called on councillors and departmental heads to redouble their efforts in serving the people.

On housing development, Mr Lekgobero expressed satisfaction that the first Bonno Turnkey House in Kgalagadi North District had been constructed in Zutshwa, a development that would remain an important landmark in the settlement.

The house was built by Blackvein, a local contractor a cost of P268 613. In line with Bonno Housing Scheme guidelines, the beneficiary will contribute P90 000 over a 20-year-period.

Councillors learnt that the district had secured additional funding for three more Bonno turnkey houses to be constructed in Zutshwa, Phuduhudu and Tshane.

Turning to economic development, Mr Lekgobero said his office was working to attract investors to stimulate the district’s economy and improve the ease of doing business.

He reminded councillors that during the previous sitting, the house resolved to allow 9th Hour Projects to consult the Zutshwa community on the possibility of entering into a joint business partnership and the latter had warmly welcomed the proposal, recognising its potential economic benefits.

“As we pursue these objectives, I shall count on councillors and heads of department to facilitate these investors in the most professional manner. In doing so, we should at all times resist any temptation to engage in any form of corrupt practices in the discharge of your duties,” he cautioned.

He warned that corruption deprived vulnerable members of society of critical services such as healthcare, childcare, quality education and infrastructure development.

Mr Lekgobero also commended the Citizen Entrepreneurial Development Agency (CEDA) and the Local Enterprise Authority (LEA) for supporting home-grown investments.

He reported that in the 2025/2026 financial year, CEDA financed 23 projects in the district at a total investment value of P32.49 million. Of these, 17 were funded under the microfinance stream and six through mainline facilities.

He further noted that CEDA had launched the A Di Tsale Financial Product Suite, aligned with President Advocate Duma Boko’s ambition to increase the national cattle herd from 1.7 million to five million. CEDA aims to invest P1.6 billion within the first year of the programme.

“I want to plead with you to encourage our communities to take advantage of these opportunities,” he said.

On Local Economic Development (LED), Mr Lekgobero said the LED team had conducted community consultations to identify key projects, with the exercise expected to conclude by mid-March 2026.

He said the consultations would inform the Local Economic Assessment Report, a critical document that would guide the development of the Kgalagadi North LED Strategy and help identify high-potential, sustainable projects capable of transforming the district into a hub of employment and wealth creation.

Mr Lekgobero also urged councilors to encourage eligible families to register for the P300 child grant which would effect from the start of the 2026/2027 financial year, adding that the Department of Social and Community Development had already begun registering deserving children.

He expressed a concern over rising cases of child abuse in the district. 

Kgalagadi North has recorded 56 registered cases of child abuse, including 17 defilement cases. All cases are currently under intervention by social workers and the Botswana Police Service. ENDS