Africa-Press – Botswana. Ngwato Land Board leadership has been called upon to develop effective strategies for promoting sustainable land management that serves the nation’s well-being.
Speaking at a strategic retreat for Land Board leadership in Maun on Monday, Kgosi Kealetile Moremi emphasised that sustainable and responsible land management was critical for the welfare of both current and future generations, necessitating a balanced approach between human needs and environmental integrity.
Kgosi Moremi
“It is an indisputable fact that land administration is a challenge, yet land remains a fundamental resource crucial for food production, biodiversity, and overall ecosystem health. I believe that through this platform, you will develop strategies to manage land effectively for the nation’s benefit.”
She also highlighted the need for implementing effective policies to promote sustainable practices that cater to future generations while protecting the ecosystem.
Mr Lesego Raditanka, chairperson of the Ngwato Land Board, affirmed the board’s mandate to administer land and ensure its effective utilization for socio-economic development. He stressed the importance of the retreat as an opportunity for introspection and improvement in service delivery.
Mr Raditanka urged his colleagues to work cohesively to achieve their goals, warning that any lack of collaboration could hinder their ability to meet customer needs. “We are the custodians of land, a tribal resource, and we must work as a team to minimize complaints,” he noted. Setting the tone for the retreat, acting Land Board Secretary Ms Kainayang Jobe focused on reflecting on their challenges and strategising ways to tackle these issues to better serve clients. She emphasised the necessity of aligning priorities with the new Ministry of Lands and Agriculture, which emphasised sustainable land management and food security for socio-economic advancement.
“We need to align our priorities with those of our parent ministry to enhance service delivery and identify essential priorities for inclusion in the National Development Plan 12,” she stated.
Ms Jobe highlighted the significance of land in agricultural production, asserting the board’s vital role in driving the ministry’s mission. She encouraged members to embrace the organization’s values and prioritize customer interests, promoting sustainable land use for future generations.
She said that land board aimed to allocate 16 000 plots but had managed to allocate only 14 000. Additionally, she noted that while 630 ranches at Sandveld Farms were allocated, 286 remained undeveloped, a situation she deemed concerning, as these ranches could potentially feed the Botswana Meat Commission.
Furthermore, she highlighted that land served as a revenue source for the board, revealing that there was over P100 million in arrears due to non-payment of lease rentals. Ms Jobe challenged management to intensify efforts to ensure individuals fulfill their obligations. The retreat, under the them: Creating Sustainable Land Value: A Key to Food Security, called for collective commitment to enhancing sustainable land management practices for the betterment of the community and the environment.
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