09 Jul 2015

Monarch location in Francistown is known mostly for its notorious youngsters, delinquent thugs of callous nature, who are believed to be highly influenced by drugs and alcohol. 

This location, with a population of roughly 10 000 inhabitants has developed rapidly since 2009 when it went through rigorous infrastructural development such as construction of tarred roads in between streets, streets lights and sewerage lines.

‘Mmanaka’ as the dwellers of this location like to call it, is now full of energy and is ever vibrant. 

Statistics show crime has been reduced dramatically as most delinquent and troublesome youngsters have been locked away in prison, some for a very long time. 

Now people walk freely at any time, even during the night and the general attitude of the people has changed dramatically.

Government poverty alleviation programmes are treasured and sought after like gold and many young people are applying and getting assistance to open businesses through the Youth Development Fund (YDF). 

Just by the post office and the old beer garden, across the road coming from the funeral parlour sits the offices of the Monarch Community Development Centre (MCDC).

This place is revered by the old and youngsters alike who believe that here their social and economic problems are solved. 

In this office, people are given free business plans to apply for government programmes and the place is usually crowded with people seeking assistance or intervention of some sort on issues nagging their lives.

Some people wait outside while others sit on the couches inside the office. 

The office secretary assures everyone present that they will each get their turn and will be assisted accordingly. In an interview with BOPA, the organisation’s National Coordinator, Mr Zazambi Tuelo, who is also a specially elected councillor with the Francistown City Council (FCC), explained that MCDC was established in 2003 by Francistown West MP Mr Ignatius Moswaane, who also chairs it. 

Mr Tuelo noted that their organisation was formed with the primary intention of helping the less privileged to access government programmes that can alleviate them from poverty.

“For instance, we advocate for the freeing of students certificates from schools even if they owe school fees or books. We give free business plans of any kind and assist by writing letters of recommendation to people who intend to get Nyeletso Lehuma assistance. We intervene in social issues of any kind here.” He said.

He further explained that MCDC’s assistance is spread across all divides, stating that they have assisted more than 300 people to get funding. Mr Tuelo delightfully revealed that recently, they assisted 65 youths in Ditshegwane to get funding for their businesses.

“We have toured some villages like Serowe, Palapye, Nata, Bobonong and Selebi Phikwe areas giving free business plans to Batswana, in particular the youth who want to be funded.” he said. 

He expressed his sadness that many Batswana aspire to venture into business but are hampered off by business consultants who charge exorbitant fees to design business plans for them and that is where MCDC steps in, with free business plans for any business. Mr Tuelo however noted that they are not well resourced to handle the workload but they survive with the little they have.

“Those two printers can print 300 copies of business plans every day. We have two computers and four cars dedicated to serving Batswana at all times.” He said.

In his parting remarks, Mr Tuelo explained that MCDC’s aspiration is to see many young people get funding to start businesses.  

He said they also want to increase their outreach programme from a couple of hundred people to some thousands and see businesses funded through their offices become multi-million pula entities. 

A young man at the office, Mr Mooketsi Nkokobotjo noted that MCDC has helped them a lot. “We have just recently been funded with half a million pula to start a multimedia company here in Francistown, thanks to Monarch Community Development Centre,” he added. ENDS