01 Nov 2017

Former vice president, Dr Ponatshego Kedikilwe says the construction of the Milk Africa project in Lobatse is a sustainable livelihood generator for residents of the town and the district at large.

Speaking during the official launch of the construction of Milk Africa facilities in Lobatse on Friday, Dr Kedikilwe urged residents of the town to take advantage of the new milk factory that would be opened soon.

He also encouraged young farmers to work together in order to enhance their capacity to know what was happening.

Dr Kedikilwe further noted that the company would create employment for Batswana countrywide.

He said the milking parlors would provide Batswana with first class milk experience, with particular focus on treating customers with utmost respect and offering competitive prices.

He said the project would play an important role in the economic development of any country.

“Better developed financial systems mostly aided by access, efficiencies and stability measures are associated with faster economic growth,” Dr Kedikilwe said at the launch of the construction.

The former vice president commended the board of directors and management of Milk Africa for taking another step in the right direction to build the milking industry in Lobatse.

He added that government expected a strong and vibrant financial system to play a critical role in the development of the economy and overcome poverty.   

Dr Kedikilwe said the project was among those that had been identified by government to have the potential as an alternative source of economic growth and diversification.

The board chairperson of Milk Africa, Mr Oabona Kgengwenyana said the project was unique with top quality milk technology.

He said they had sent six employees to the University of Florida in the USA for 18 months for training and to get knowledge on how to operate the project.

He said they were partnering with Lobatse Town Council and that Botswana Development Corporation (BDC) has funded the project.

Mr Kgengwenyana noted that construction was expected to be completed during the second quarter of 2018, and that they would also start to milk.

He also noted that Ipeeletso was drilling a borehole for them. BOPA