03 Mar 2014

A total of 1 048 participants were trained at the just ended Jamataka life skills training workshop.

Speaking at the workshop, Minister for Presidential Affairs and Public Administration, Mr Mokgweetsi Masisi, who is also the chairperson of the cabinet sub-committee on poverty eradication, said the beneficiaries were from Tonota North, Nkange, Nata/Gweta, Boteti North and Boteti South.

Mr Masisi said the objective of the workshop was to encourage and inspire the participants to take care of the projects. He said the workshops empowered the participants with basic training for the various packages. He assured the trainees that government would fund their projects.

In his closing remarks, the Assistant Minister of Local Government and Rural Development, Mr Olebile Gaborone said the workshop, which was the seventh one since the launch of the poverty eradication programme, was aimed at empowering beneficiaries with skills to run their projects effectively.

Mr Gaborone said government’s desire was to see poverty eradication projects boosting Botswana’s economy. For his part, Minister of Labour and Home Affairs, Mr Edwin Batshu applauded Parliament for approving the poverty-eradication budget.

Mr Batshu commended public officers for the implementation of the poverty eradication programme. He noted that the nation prospered from the productiveness of public officers.

Also present at the workshop was Tonota North MP, Mr Fidelis Molao, who said 11 back yard gardens and 94 alternative packages were operational in his constituency. He said 11 projects were funded at Jamataka, and 11 more would be funded in the next financial year.

Mr Molao suggested that Jamataka should be classified under Rural Area Development Programme because of lack of services in the settlement.

He also said with the population of 1 000 and stock theft rampancy, the position of kgosi should be upgraded from that of arbitration to that of record. ENDS