23 Sep 2026

Village Development Committee (VDC) members have been urged to take the lead in community development and rural industrialisation.

Addressing a kgotla meeting in Marapong on Monday, Assistant Minister of Local Government and Traditional Affairs, Mr Ignatius Moswaane said VDCs must revive rural industries and cooperatives by utilising natural resources in their communities.

Mr Moswaane said self-reliance activities were at the forefront of building Botswana, which celebrates 60 years of independence this year. He said Batswana were previously hands-on in community building and less dependent on government, unlike in recent years.

He expressed concern that Batswana had downgraded agriculture and become reliant on imported food, while productive land lies idle. He said it was unfortunate that some people had neglected their ploughing fields and opted to rely on the Ipelegeng programme for survival.

This, he said need to change so that Batswana must returned to producing their own food for subsistence and commercial purposes. 

With excess produce, he said VDCs in partnership with the private sector could set up industries to produce end-use products from farm produce, resulting in job creation.

He further urged VDCs to resuscitate Development Trusts and stimulate investment projects in the village, advising them to do away with individualism and work collectively towards developing the village.

Mr Moswaane added that government, through the council, would facilitate funding for such community projects.

Meanwhile, on concerns raised by residents that Marapong Brigade was underutilised as it offered only two courses and enrolled a limited number of students, Mr Moswaane said he would engage relevant authorities to have it partner with the Ipelegeng programme for skills development.

Commenting on the Assistant Minister’s remarks, Ms Setobokeni Lesetedi said the community was eager to see development that created employment. 

She added that officers tasked to help should be willing to assist and that some business requirements needed to be eased to facilitate those interested in doing business in rural areas. ENDS