15 Aug 2024

The issue of land scarcity in the North East District took the centre stage during the Radio Botswana Debate for Tati East constituency with the incumbent defending government’s  decision to acquire 45 000 hectares of land from the Tati Company.

As the debate on land scarcity reached its fever pitch, the incumbent Member of Parliament for Tati East, and Botswana Democratic Party (BDP) prospective parliamentary candidate, Dr Douglas Letsholathebe found himself on the frontlines of the discussion, championing the government’s decision to acquire 45 000 hectares of land from Tati Company.

Dr Letsholathebe contended that the acquisition was not only a necessary step towards alleviating land shortage, but was also a vital component of government’s long term strategy for economic growth and development.

He acknowledged the concerns of those who believed that the acquisition was made at too high a price, while emphasising the goal of the government’s actions.

Dr Letsholathebe further indicated that while the cost of the acquisition may have raised eyebrows among some, ‘the reality is that we are dealing with a complex issue that transcends monetary consideration’.

He explained that the issue of land acquisition was not just a matter of ‘Pulas and Thebes’, but of reclaiming a vital part of the nation’s heritage and future.

He said government decision to pursue the acquisition, was an investment in the people of Botswana and for the future generation.

He told the electorate that discussions to upgrade Tonota-Patayamatebele gravel road to bitumen standard were at an advanced stage.

He said his government had also finalised plans to upgrade Mmadinare-Matsiloje gravel road to bitumen standard.

Dr Letsholathebe, who is also the Minister of Education and Skills Development, informed the electorate that the issue of water shortage in the North East District would be addressed through the Greater Francistown Water Master Plan.

He appealed to the electorate to vote him back to Parliament to finish fulfilling some of the promises he made before the 2018 general elections.

He said the issue of land in the North East District had been fulfilled.

On the other hand, Umbrella for Democratic Change (UDC) aspiring parliamentary candidate, Mr Thomas Mpenya said while he viewed land acquisition as a necessary and historic step in reclaiming the land for the nation’s future, the P1.4 billion price tag was exorbitant.

Justification was the cornerstone of Mr Mpenya’s argument, wanting to know how the government and the seller arrived at P1.4 billion.

He argued that if voted into power, he would pursue the matter ‘until the truth comes out’.

He said for a very long time, the people of the North East had suffered a lot without land for both grazing and ploughing.
“Justification is not a matter of convenience.

The people deserve to know how the government arrived at such a hefty price tag for this land. If we are to be stewards of public funds, we must be accountable to the citizens who entrust us with their taxes,” he said.

He also said when voted into power, he would tackle the acute shortage of water in the district, citing that villages such as Ditladi and Patayamatebele did not have potable water.

Mr Mpenya claimed that people living along the Shashe River banks were forced to drink water from the river, even though it was polluted.

For his part, Botswana Patriotic Front (BPF) prospective parliamentary candidate, Mr Peter Kuchwe said when his party is voted into power, it would establish some horticultural and vegetable projects along the Ramokgwebana River to boost the horticultural sector in the region.

He said the project would also serve as a buffer zone between Botswana and Zimbabwe to prevent the outbreak of the Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD).

He told the electorate that BPF had good and sound policies that could fight poverty as well as create employment and wealth.

He said the rate of unemployment in Botswana double on yearly basis whilst the number university graduates continued to increase.

Mr Kuchwe argued that North East District boast of many dams, which, however, did not benefit its people who continued to lack water.

He suggested that if voted into power, he would make sure that the water from these dams was used for irrigation and dam tourism to improve the lives of the people of North East.

Mr Kuchwe appealed to the electorate to vote for a party that had the interest of the people at heart.

Meanwhile, the Botswana Congress Party (BCP) aspiring parliamentary candidate, Mr Thabologo Furniture informed the electorate that his party was ready to take power.

He explained that if voted into power, BCP would upgrade the Tonota-Patayamatebe gravel road to bitumen standard.

He also promised that Sekokwe settlement, south of Matshelagabedi would be declared a fully-fledged village because the settlement had a population greater than that of Matopi settlement.

Mr Furniture said pupils from Sekokwe settlement travelled long distances to access education at Matshelagabedi, which he said, ‘is unfair’.

He also said if voted into power, BCP would make sure that there was proper maintenance of the border fence between Botswana and Zimbabwe to prevent FMD spread.

He also said his party would address the issue of high water bills, adding that it would create 300 000 jobs and increase the old age pension allowance.

He said his party would also reinstate the sport in school programme, arguing that such was where the likes of Letsile Tebogo came from.

He also said unemployed university graduates would also be assisted with a living allowance whilst every woman without a job would also get a P300 allowance. ENDS