25 Feb 2014

The Assistant Minister of Local Government and Rural Development, Mr Olebile Gaborone has said it is important and convenient to engage local companies within the district for projects in villages.

Mr Gaborone said this when addressing a kgotla meeting in Nokaneng recently. He noted that awarding tenders to the locally owned businesses improved productivity and efficiency. He warned against overlooking local companies in the award of tenders.

Mr Gaborone called for detailed background checks on companies before they could be engaged. He said this was necessary as some companies abandoned projects or did a shoddy job.

Furthermore, he said this after visiting Nokaneng Primary School and learning that 32 toilets were not functioning, thus causing pupils great inconvenience and embarrassment as they had to relieve themselves in the bush.

Mr Gaborone noted that it was costly for the government to rectify shoddy work done by contractors. ”Do not give tenders to irresponsible companies, research carefully to find out if the company is competent,” he said.

On a different note, the assistant minister urged parents to take responsibility for the education of their children and partner with government in educating them.

Furthermore, Mr Gaborone said he was disappointed by parents who abdicated responsibility so much they would not even bother to find out if their children were attending classes.

He also cautioned parents that they were aware of adults who sold drugs such as marijuana, and alcohol to school children. He pleaded with the Parents and Teachers Association (PTA) to investigate such issues and come up with preventive strategies. Mr Gaborone also urged   parents to familiarise themselves with the 2009 Children’s Act.

Elaborating further on the act, the head of child protection from the Department of Social Services, Ms Ookame Mokabathebe said children had rights that had to be observed by all.

These included the right to education for children with diverse abilities. She noted children with disabilities should not be given derogatory names. Ms Mokabathebe also informed the parents that a child had the right to know both his or her parents.

She cautioned parents against sending children to work instead of going to school. Similarly, she said it was illegal to marry or give a child in marriage. Ms Mokabathebe also said children had the right to health and it was illegal to deny them such rights.

“Punishing children severely like throwing water on them is a crime. Sending children to buy cigarettes and alcohol is illegal,” she said. 

The deputy director at the Department of Social Services Ms Mmaphefo Setabo-Kgetse said the North West District had a high number of adoption cases where foreigners adopted children unlawfully or parents signed papers without knowing what they are putting themselves into.

She pleaded with parents to consult social workers before signing any documents for adoption of children.

Giving closing remarks, the Member of Parliament (MP) for Ngami Mr Taolo Habano said research showed there was 80-90 per cent lack of supervision at the work place in the district and this was now becoming a habit.

He urged the minister to look closely at the situation. He encouraged residents to attend kgotla meetings to air their views on issues affecting them. ENDS