03 Dec 2024

The Minister of Local Government and Traditional Affairs, Mr Ketlhalefile Motshegwa has emphasised the ministry’s dedication to ensuring the delivery of quality services to communities, particularly in rural areas. 

During a press briefing in Gaborone on Monday, Mr Motshegwa said the ministry aimed to build resilient, sustainable, and cohesive communities that were climate-smart and non-sexist.

Minister Motshegwa reaffirmed the ministry’s commitment to enhancing the living conditions of Batswana  through a transformed and developmental local government. 

“To achieve this, we require effective and efficient local services and infrastructure that foster inclusive and resilient communities,” he stated.

He mentioned that the ministry would collaborate with all stakeholders to ensure that local governments operated effectively for the benefit of the populace. Therefore, he  called the press conference to introduce the leadership of the ministry and highlight strategies aimed at addressing challenges facing local governments in the short, medium, and long term.

As part of his 100-day plan, Minister Motshegwa announced his intention to address all full councils to introduce himself and Assistant Minister Mr Ignatius Moswaane. 

He indicated that these meetings would serve to set expectations for local authorities and ensure they aligned with the government’s agenda.

“It is critical to note that whatever strategies and plans we propose will be guided by the government’s five-year commitment,” he underscored.

According to Minister Motshegwa, the ministry is tasked with providing democratic and accountable governance, ensuring the sustainable provision of basic services, promoting social and economic development, and fostering community involvement in local governance. 

He articulated the ministry’s vision of Sustainable Livelihoods and Effective Local Governance, which focuses on delivering socio-economic services and improving environmental sustainability.

“Our value proposition within government is to deliver basic services, effective governance, and enhance community livelihoods. We also aim to uphold our traditional governance system, which is vital to our local government framework,” he explained.

He further emphasised the importance of coordinating rural development initiatives through the Rural Development Council, positioning it as a central focus within the ministry’s mandate.

“We are dedicated to building an agile local government that delivers public value through future-proof policies,” he added. 

In alignment with the Presidential 100 Days of Action, Minister Motshegwa outlined immediate strategic initiatives to be implemented within the next 100 days. 

These initiatives include recapitalising councils, launching a comprehensive Local Government Turnaround Strategy, conducting district-wide assessments, and publishing the state of local government by April 2025.

Additionally, the ministry plans to conduct forensic audits at selected councils, transform the Tribal Administration and Bogosi by reviewing relevant legislation, refresh the Decentralisation Policy, and present these reforms to Cabinet and the next parliamentary session.

Minister Motshegwa concluded by emphasizing the significance of the ministry’s Strategy and Transformation Plan, which is designed to align local government operations with the government’s Vision 2036. 

He encouraged his ministry’s leadership and staff to serve communities with humility and integrity, underscoring the collective responsibility to improve the lives of all Batswana. Ends