Africa-Press – Botswana. Kanye referral hospital will now be built at the showground, instead of Losabanyana as was initially stated.
This follows a request during President Dr Mokgweetsi Masisi’s kgotla meeting in Kanye, by Umbrella Village Development Committees (VDCs) for the hospital to be built at the showground, highlighting that Losabanyana was far and not accessible to the general public.
Addressing Kanye district leadership on December 21, Minister of Transport and Public Works, Mr Eric Molale explained that as per Dr Masisi’s intervention for all stakeholders to meet and choose a suitable area between the two plots, there was a detailed report that guided where the hospital should be built.
He said the two plots were examined and it was discovered that they were of the same size and not far from other developments. The only difference identified, he said was the standard of the soil. He said the showground plot was on the water–route to Mmamokhasi Dam and the soil was not good for construction, hence the contractor would need to dig very deep when building.
“During rainy season, most buildings around that area get flooded,” he added.
He said the soil at Losabanyana plot was found to be suitable for construction of the hospital.
However, he said Dr Masisi then asked for other reasons to be considered, noting that he highlighted that the hospital was not only meant for Kanye community, hence it had to be in a location suitable for other people from the outskirts of Kanye.
He said the other reason that the President considered was that the showground plot was in the centre of the village, therefore residents would easily access it. Mr Molale said after consideration of all reasons, the decision was then taken to construct the hospital at the showground plot.
He further assured the district leadership that they would work around the clock to ensure that the hospital was constructed within reasonable time.
Different village leaders highlighted that the community were against the idea of building the hospital at the showground. They said the show committee had stated that it was not consulted on the construction of the hospital at the showground.
For his part, Kanye district council chairperson, Mr Mpho Dithole said as the chairperson, he had to accommodate both Bangwaketse’s and government views.
He requested Minister Molale to inform Dr Masisi that Bangwaketse were not happy with the idea of building the hospital at the showground.
“If the decision was made, partly based on misleading information, please ask the President to reconsider that, but Bangwaketse are not against his decision,” he added.
Ms Gloria Keagilwe, Kgosing Village VDC chairperson said the President was misled by those who said umbrella VDC wanted the hospital to be built at the showground.
“We wanted the hospital to be built at Losabanyana, even our minutes can show that,” she added.
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