Africa-Press – Botswana. When President Dr Mokgweetsi Masisi took oath of office on the 1st of April 2018, he emphasised that Batswana should be at the epicentre of the country’s development agenda.
He clearly determined to devote his time and energies to improve the lives of citizens to see a socially and economically transformed nation.
Among many of these efforts to see an improved Motswana emerging from the pangs of poverty, President Masisi’s government recently intensified efforts to promote rural industries through the Rural Development Council (RDC).
It has taken a deliberate decision to support rural community based projects through funding for RDC projects.
At least P6.3million has been approved through the Transitional National Development Plan for these community based projects.
Some targeted projects are the Zutshwa Salt mine expansion in Kgalagadi North, as well as the two Morula processing plants in the Kweneng and North East districts.
This is a deliberate effort to promote rural industries and catalyze rural developments by tapping into the huge potential presented by natural resources in these rural communities.
It would also create employment and boost local economic activity, especially in projects such as Zutshwa and the BORAVAST sexanana tree harvesting and fodder production.
Some products may be used for cosmetics and pharmaceutical industries with prospect for export, which is in line with President Masisi’s Reset and Reclaim priority on value chain development as well as government’s local economy development strategy on building resilience within communities.
The intent is to ensure that rural communities are not left behind in provision of timely and improved services.
Government has also undertaken the upgrade of 22 subordinate authorities in line with Decentralisation Policy and Strategy to fully fledged district councils.
Decentralisation is the devolution of political and administrative powers to local authorities which would enable them to make decisions, mobilise own resources, promote local economic developments and partner with other development actors such as the private sector, in delivering quality service to the communities.
The strategy is to gradually transform the present local government system into a citizen centred local government system that is responsive, responsible and accountable.
The implementation of this initiative is being done in two phases with phase 1 involving the upgrading of Goodhope, Molepolole, Mogoditshane/Thamaga, Letlhakeng, Mahalapye, Tutume, Boteti, Maun, Okavango, Tsabong and Hukuntsi sub-districts into fully-fledged, operational district councils.
The second phase will cover Tonota, Palapye, Serowe, Bobirwa, Tlokweng, Ghanzi, Charleshill, Kanye, Mabutsane, Moshupa and South East South sub districts and will be implemented this financial year. Government has also recently introduced the new Ipelegeng Skills Development Component which aims to equip beneficiaries with occupational, entrepreneurial and life skills.
The implementation of the transformed programme is said to be going very well. Pilot exercise was successfully carried out in the South East District with graduates in various artisan skills.
The new programme would allow them to go into better employment opportunities, create jobs, employ others and graduate from poverty, while upscaling implementation of the skills development component to other sectors such as agriculture, environment and natural resource management will commence in the next financial year.
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