14 Jan 2015

The anticipated investor boom in Lobatse is expected to curb the high rate of unemployment amongst the youth in Lobatse, MP for Lobatse, Mr Sadique Kebonang has said.        

Addressing a kgotla meeting on January 12 at Delta Ward, Mr Kebonang told residents that the leather park project was at an advanced stage and 5 000 youth were expected to be employed. He said as the project would be progressing, the employment rate was expected to increase to 10 000.

The MP, who is also Assistant Minister of Trade and Industry, said a company from South Africa which he did not disclose was to set base next to Lobatse tile.  The company would employ 1 200 people.

Mr Kebonang said a milling company was also to be set up in Lobatse. The company will be producing mealie meal. Meanwhile, Mr Kebonang thanked the electorate for voting him to Parliament and also extended his appreciation to the President for elevating him to the post of an assistant minister.

He urged councillors to work collaboratively with him irrespective of party affiliations in order to steer the development of the town. “We must speak with one voice” he said. Mr Kebonang further urged residents to utilise the  cnstituency office .

On a different note, Mr Kebonang dismissed allegations making rounds that he would be leaving for China to further his studies. In his welcome remarks, Kgosi Pius Letsholo of Woodhall lauded Mr Kebonang for winning the parliamentary seat.

He applauded the residents for good conduct during the just ended festive season and encouraged them to continue with the same spirit in future. However, he complained about people who sold liquor beyond stipulated operating hours and added that most fights and other social ills happened there.

Kgosi Letsholo appealed to the councillors to work with law enforcement officers to fight ravaging social ills in the society. For her part, Lobatse Town Clerk Ms Malebogo Kruger called for cooperation from all stakeholders for the sake of development.

 In her briefing, Village Development Committee chairperson, Ms Morongwa Mazibane among others complained about youth unemployment, noting that there was need to increase the number of people engaged in the Ipelegeng programme. ENDS