Africa-Press – Botswana. Boteti West parliamentary candidates highlighted human-wildlife conflict, infrastructural development, wealth creation and agricultural production as the main challenging issues in their constituency.
When he kick-started the Radio Botswana debate on October 22, Umbrella for Democratic Change (UDC) candidate, Mr Sam Digwa said UDC wanted to address poverty in Boteti West as it the poorest constituency.
He said human- wildlife conflict was rife in the area and the decision that the government had taken of erecting a game-proof fence alongside Makgadikgadi National Park did not bear fruit because the fence was incomplete.
Mr Digwa also expressed concern that there was lack of government offices and roads in the area.
He said Kedia, Motopi-Makalamabedi and Toromoja roads were still in a bad state.
He further stated that there was lack of healthcare facilities and vocational training institutions in Boteti West.
Botswana Congress Party candidate, Mr Thomas Kgethenyane said ritual killings were rampant in Boteti and the government failed to accord the issue the seriousness it deserved.
He said human-wildlife conflict was a concern as from 2019 to present, six people were killed by elephants.
Mr Kgethenyane said free market on cattle sales had impoverished the people of Boteti, as buyers set prices for themselves.
He also complained that hospitals in Boteti West were dilapidated, adding that there was need for a senior secondary school in the area.
Mr Kgethenyane said his desire was to make Boteti West a district and convert Letlhakane into a town.
The incumbent and also the Vice President, Slumber Tsogwane said the people of Boteti West had witnessed developments he brought to the constituency.
Mr Tsogwane said government had devised various agricultural programmes such as Temo Letlotlo and Thuo Letlotlo aimed at empowering Batswana economically to promote the spirit of self- reliance.
He pointed out that a water treatment plant covering all villages in Boteti West had been constructed to ensure efficient supply of potable.
He stated that the Motopi-Makalamabedi road was under construction, Xere road and Toromoja road had also been budgeted for, and these had been made possible through the employment of development managers model approach.
He said human-wildlife conflict in the area had been addressed through introduction of elephant hunting quotas.
Mr Tsogwane said there was also a policy that controlled settlements, to ensure that they did not encroach into wildlife areas.
He further stated that through Public Private Partnership, three clinics were constructed at Makalamabedi, Kedia and Mopipi to enhance primary healthcare in rural areas.
He said a unified secondary school had been planned for Boteti West, and a plot had already been secured.
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