22 Apr 2014

The small settlement of Ngwatle lies 80 kilometres west of Hukuntsi in Kgalagadi District. A journey to Ngwatle is an arduous sojourn that is characterised by heaps of heavy sands and bumpy roads.

There is little or no traffic at all from Hukuntsi to Ngwatle, and the small settlement is very rural with little or no economic activities.

Ngwatle is a typical rural settlement with isolated homes dotting the landscape and a very small population. Kgosi Mangau Mareetsane of Ngwatle said the settlement came into being in 2006 and its population comprises Basarwa and Bakgalagadi.

He added that Ngwatle is surrounded by other small settlements such as Ukwi, Nxaang and Zutshwa.  Government recognised Ngwatle as a settlement in early 2006, after which the people started receiving a lot of services from government.

Kgosi Mareetsane said government provides the settlement with water, though they are restricted from sharing the water with livestock. He also applauded government for building a primary school, a VDC office and a kgotla shelter for the settlement.

“We are gratefully indebted to government for these developments. They have contributed to the growth of our village,” he said. More developments are on the way in Ngwatle, as a clinic and cooperative store are still under construction.

The chief is optimistic that more developments are on the way, which will create employment opportunities for the people and generate economic sustainability which will further ensure more growth.

Kgosi Mareetsane also acknowledged efforts made by the Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development to provide shelter for the less privileged in Ngwatle.

He revealed that so far government has built five houses for destitute residents while two more are still under construction. He however raised concerns about the unavailability of cellular network in Ngwatle which makes communication very strenuous.  

He added that Ngwatle settlement is also disadvantaged by lack of transport. He revealed that the settlement does not have an ambulance which results in patients having to wait for long without any medical attention.

“With these developments we are hopeful that come 2016 we will also be celebrating a lot of milestones in our settlements,” said Kgosi Mareetsane.

Before 2006, the settlers were asked to relocate from Ngwatle as government insisted that the area is reserved for wild animals. Kgosi Mareetsane said they could not agree with government since they were born and raised in the area.

He further insisted that the settlement is very far from the game park such that they could not interfere with the existence of wild animals at all.

But now their differences with government have been resolved, and the people of Ngwatle are looking forward to more developments and celebrating the relisations of their Vision 2016 celebrations. ENDS