Africa-Press – Botswana. Bokspits, Rapplespan, Vaal Hoek and Struizendam residents in the Tsabong District recently benefited from a community service initiative organised by the Tsabong District Council.
The event, which was held in Bokspits on Tuesday, aimed to bring essential services closer to the community of Bokspits, Rapplespan, Vaal Hoek and Struizendam (BORAVAST) in order to address the challenges faced by those living in the remote area.
The council chairperson, Mr Elias Mothanke emphasised the significance of the day, commending the council for organising the crucial outreach. He urged community members to actively participate by utilising the available services and providing feedback to help the council identify areas for improvement.
Mr Mothanke acknowledged the frequent complaints from residents about the high cost of and long distances associated with travelling to access services, often resulting in them returning without assistance. He stressed that the initiative provided a valuable opportunity to access services, voice concerns, offer feedback, and seek guidance.
The objectives of the service day were further outlined by Tsabong deputy council secretary, Mr Mogolodi Modibu, who stated that the primary aim was to bring services directly to the BORAVAST community, eliminating the burden of long-distance travel and associated expenses.
The event also served as a platform for the community to interact directly with various government departments and parastatals regarding their inquiries, challenges and needs, he said. Furthermore, it provided an avenue for departments to gather valuable feedback from the community.
Representatives from a number of government departments and parastatals were present, offering assistance with applications, bill payments, inquiries, purchases, medical advice, and a wide range of other services.
For her part, Kgosi Emma Mogale of Bokspits expressed her gratitude to the local government for bringing the much-needed services to her community, noting that it was a timely intervention as they had waited for a long time.
She highlighted the infrequency of service delivery in the area due to the distance from Tsabong and the high cost and scarcity of transport. Kgosi Mogale emphasised that the initiative would be particularly beneficial for the elderly who struggle with travelling long distances.
She encouraged all community members to take advantage of the services and to inform others to attend. Another concern raised by Kgosi Mogale was the need for frequent visits from the immigration department.
She explained that a large portion of the Bokspits community had relatives in South Africa and frequently travelled to the neighbouring country for important family events such as funerals and weddings. As such, she said lack of passports often led to residents experiencing difficulties whenever the need to cross the border arose.
She further elaborated that the community also relied on South Africa for essential services such as health and shopping due to its proximity to the village and the resultant lower travel costs.
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