Residents of Lesoma have expressed frustration over prolonged delays in land allocations, the situation they said stalled development and denied them economic opportunities. 

Speaking during a kgotla meeting addressed by Chobe Member of Parliament (MP) Mr Simasiku Mapulanga, Kgosi Lesoma Lesoma said more than 6 000 applicants had been on the waiting list for over seven years now.

He proposed expanding the village boundary by converting part of the neighbouring forest reserve, situated between the A33 road and the residential area, into tribal land. 

Kgosi Lesoma said the community had repeatedly submitted village expansion proposal to the Ministry of Lands and Agriculture, but government was yet to approve it, leaving development in Lesoma at a standstill.

Residents said lack of tribal land had deprived them of significant economic opportunities, despite the village’s strategic location along a major economic corridor near the Kazungula One Stop Border Post and the renowned Chobe National Park. 

They said that shortage of land for residential and commercial purposes prevented them from benefiting fully from the economic activities associated with the two attractions.

The residents called on government to expedite the expansion of Lesoma’s boundaries by de-gazetting portions of the forest reserve for residential and commercial development.

Chobe Land Board deputy chairperson, Mr Andrew Basiamang, said the proposal to expand Lesoma dated back to 2003, when the land board consulted residents who then proposed that part of the forest reserve be de-gazetted for residential purposes.

However, he said the Ministry of Lands and Agriculture had indicated that complex, unresolved issues required further engagement among relevant sectors. 

Mr Basiamang said that the backlog of plot applications in Lesoma stood at 6 700 as of October 9.  He advised residents to formally invite responsible minister to address them on the matter.

MP Mapulanga said converting the portion of the forest reserve along the A33 highway into tribal land could yield more than 3 600 residential plots, significantly easing the shortage. 

He said expanding the village would stimulate growth across various economic sectors in Lesoma and created opportunities to attract investors.

He called for a united approach advocating for the proposed expansion, saying the matter should be pursued not only by Lesoma residents, but by the wider Chobe community. ENDS