01 Jun 2014

Even after many years of his demise, the legacy of Kgosi Bathoen Gaseitsiwe of Bangwaketse still lives on, as evident by accolades heaped on him by different speakers  at Tomela on May 30.

The district populace that came in to witness the official opening of the Southern District Council facilities learnt how B2 as he was affectionately called by his tribesmen, championed development in Ga-Ngwaketse during his reign.

The late Bathoen was the brains behind Tomela, which referred to the consolidation of the community’s developmental views and thoughts prior to Botswana’s independence.

Speakers said he did so after realising that the kgotla system was not well organised as one would have thought to take the views and thoughts of morafe across regarding developments.

Infrastructural developments that were being officially opened for the people included amongst others, Tomela Council Chamber, Ketlogetse Memorial Primary School, internal roads and streets lights in Kanye, Mabutsane, Good Hope and Moshupa, 171 staff houses, 32 classroom blocks and traffic lights in Kanye.

Speaking at the event, district chairperson, Mr Leach Tlhomelang hailed such developments as key to local economic development, adding that they also marked the beginning of bigger and better things to come.

“We acknowledge the huge developmental needs of our people and promise to forge ahead to attain prosperity for all,” he said.

Mr Tlhomelang cited Mongala shopping mall as one of the developments projects undertaken in partnership with private investors to bring services closer to the people and facilitate job creation.

He commended council staff for their dedication and innovation to tap into their talents to develop many of the facilities in-house thereby cutting down on costs that could have otherwise been accrued through outsourcing.

“Betsho, this is a testimony to one of our national principle of self-reliance, which challenged the council to deliver on its mandate without development budget in place,” he said.

Former councillor, Mr Ketumile Kaboeamodimo who sat in the first ever Southern District council after Botswana’s first ever elections welcomed the achievements made thus far.

Mr Kaboeamodimo said unlike in the yesteryears councils have grown not only in stature but in terms of governance and operations. “We used to have only the licensing community and even our budget was limited and a councillor’s remuneration was P5,” he said.

He noted that there were not many challenges, saying at independence Southern District Council did not have a single member of opposition.

Kanye South legislator, Mr Abram Kesupile said small beginnings must never be despised for they provide a platform upon which to further develop people’s livelihoods.

He called on the council to strive to ensure timeous maintenance of its facilities so that a lot of financial resources could be diversified to other pertinent projects geared towards improving people’s lives.

One of the beneficiaries of many social welfare programmes offered by the Council, Mr Sekwena Dihutso commended the council for having uplifted his life. A leather work beneficiary, Mr Dihutso said council sponsored his training at Maun and through the assistance he was able to put bread on the table.  

Another beneficiary, Ms Tshepo Tokong hailed the country’s leadership. “I make and sell coffee from the roots of Motopi tree courtesy of the training and financial assistance I got from the government and I will not be the same again,” she said.

Minister of Local Government and Rural Development, Mr Peter Siele, officials and traditional leaders from North West Province in South Africa, local Dikgosi, Council chairpersons and Councillors from across Botswana graced the event. Ends