05 Jun 2013

The Chanoga community is struggling to secure funds to develop the 12 hectares, which were meant for setting up of development projects.

The land, which was used for Chanoga poverty eradication pitso, was allocated to the community after Kgosi Oateng Setlhodi of Chanoga requested for it. In an interview, Kgosi Setlhodi said they were negotiating with the Department of Women’s Affairs to see how best they could assist them so that they could fully utilise the area.

He said the department had indicated that it could assist with community projects geared towards empowering women. He said they had been requested to submit management and building plans but expressed concern that they were unable to submit the two plans because of financial constraints.

Kgosi Setlhodi said to come up with a management plan, one needed a qualified consultant and the community was struggling to secure financiers. “We don’t want that land to turn into a white elephant because we requested it for a purpose”, he added.

He said women were mostly hard hit by poverty and they could use the land to start income generating projects. Kgosi Setlhodi appreciated government's intention to roll out projects in areas where traces of abject poverty were visible. He said they intended to use stones from Tsibogolamatebele historical site to build chalets at the site.

He said they had approached the North West District Council to assist with transport and were still waiting for their response. Kgosi Setlhodi  said the Village Development Committee was to write letters to the business community seeking financial assistance.

On other issues, Kgosi raised a concern about shortage of water in the village, saying Chanoga community and the surrounding catchment areas relied on bowsers. He said there was need to have a permanent solution as water bowsing was unreliable due to vehicle breakdowns.

Kgosi Setlhodi also decried the high rate of unemployment adding that most young people had enrolled in Ipelegeng programme while others indulged in alcohol consumption. The village, he added, needed recreational facilities to keep the youth busy. ENDS