17 Mar 2016

The Japanese Embassy has granted the Ghanzi District Council US$43 000 (P488 919.69) for the construction of a pre-school in West Hanahai.

Council chairperson, Mr Thato Tshweneyagae told the ongoing council session that the money came at an opportune time when the government has prioritised backlog of education facilities. 

He noted that the government recently introduced Early Childhood Education as per the recommendations of the Revised National Policy on Education.

Mr Tshweneyagae said the expected structure would comprise of classrooms, a kitchen, toilets and a sick bay, and that it would attract children at an early age and eventually negate the problem of school drop outs. The council chairperson said the government has taken the decision to service residents of Central Kalahari Game Reserve and that a community facilitator has been appointed. 

He will be based in the CKGR and his duties entail chairing consultative community meetings, identifying community needs and ensuring constant communication between the government and residents.

He said the council has already started ferrying water to the CKGR and was experiencing challenges such as frequent breakdown of its fleet. 

However, he said the Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development has approved P5 million towards the purchase of vehicles for the assignment.

The council chairperson said the council has submitted a budget proposal of P235.4 million with a revenue support grant of P228. 1 million for the 2016/17 financial year. 

He said the budget was reduced and had an overall decrease of three per cent from the budget for the year 2015/16.

He said the council income collection only constitutes 6.41 per cent of the total budget which does not meet the demands of the council. 

He emphasised the need to fast track council investment endeavours to create sources of revenue.  Ends