02 Jun 2024

The Minister of Local Government and Rural Development, Mr Kgotla Autlwetse, on Thursday officially opened the over P470 000  Matopi Kgotla shelter.

Highlighting the government’s dedication to traditional leadership, the minister assured the residents that the lack of kgotla offices would be rectified once budget constraints were resolved. 

“Today, we mark the opening of Matopi Kgotla shelter.  However, I regret to acknowledge the absence of kgotla offices when Matopi was first established as a village in 2009. This oversight was a mistake that should have been addressed,” he added.

Minister Autlwetse said  despite the unfortunate absence of the kgotla offices initially, he  reassured the people of Matopi that the government took the role of traditional leaders seriously.

Mr Autlwetse, also admitted that government recognised that there need for  infrastructure development for the  community, also mentioned plans to upgrade the crucial gravel road connecting Robelela, Matopi, and Matsiloje to a bitumen surface, pending the availability of funds.

“The gravel road that links your village with others is a vital transportation and trade route. 

Hence, once funding permits, we aim to upgrade this road to a modern bitumen surface,” he added.

The Minister also called for strict measures against those responsible for vandalising community projects funded through public resources. 

He expressed dismay that certain community members, particularly the youth, undermined progress by damaging public property.

“I urge the authorities to swiftly and decisively deal with these vandals to make it clear that such behaviour will not be tolerated,” the minister said.

To this end, Minister Autlwetse proposed a stricter form of punishment, advocating for a return to the traditional practice of flogging as a deterrent against repeated offenses.

“I believe that traditional forms of punishment, like flogging, may be a more effective deterrent against vandalism than traditional methods such as imprisonment or fines. The humiliation associated with flogging, I believe, will discourage potential offenders from repeating such offenses,” he added.

Mr Autlwetse also commended the local artisan, Mr  Quit Tumelo, for his remarkable craftsmanship in constructing the impressive and visually appealing kgotla shelter, completed on time and within budget.

“I applaud Mr Tumelo’s skills and dedication. His work showcases professionalism at its best, and I am proud to be here today, in the shadow of his creation, recognizing his efforts,” the Minister expressed.

The minister emphasised the importance of acknowledging exceptional performance, stressing the need to incentivise contractors like Mr Tumelo, who exceeded expectations to fulfill their contractual obligations.

“We must acknowledge and support contractors like Mr Tumelo, who demonstrated exceptional professionalism and dedication to their work. These individuals, when awarded government contracts, should be given opportunities to continue contributing to community and national development,” he stated.

Mr Autlwetse urged Matopi community to make full use of their newly built kgotla shelter, highlighting the significant role the kgotla system played in Botswana’s democratic framework.

Giving a vote of thanks, the area Member of Parliament, Dr Douglas Letsholathebe, expressed gratitude for the introduction of the Community Constituency Project (CCP) funds, noting the positive impact of these funds on expediting development projects across various constituencies in the country.

“We are thankful for the CCP funds, which have accelerated development in our constituencies. This innovative funding approach has allowed us to expedite projects, ultimately benefiting our communities and enhancing our quality of life,” Dr. Letsholathebe shared.

In her welcoming remarks, Kgosi Tshimologo Toteng of Matopi raised concerns about cattle rustling between her village and neighboring Zimbabwe.

She urged President Dr Mokgweetsi Masisi, the Minister of Agriculture, Mr Fidelis Molao and other relevant authorities to visit the village to witness the detrimental effects of livestock theft and explore potential solutions.

The kgotla shelter was constructed through the CCP Funds. Ends