12 Jan 2025

The new government is determined to ensure that the livelihoods of Batswana are uplifted.

The Member of Parliament for Boteti East and also Assistant Minister of Transport and Infrastructure, Mr Keoagile Atamelang told  residents of Mosu and Mmatshumo on Wednesday.

Mr Atamelang stated that the issue of cash flow, which they found in place as they took over government, was the only stumbling block on their quest to deliver on their promises to Batswana. He said diamonds sales are improving and that would open doors to a new Botswana.

“An improvement in diamonds sales is the beginning of a new era. Immediately after the inauguration of President Duma Boko, diamonds sales started realising a positive growth in sales,” he said.

Mr Atamelang said the new government remains resolute to their promises and was determined to pay the old age pensioners P1 800, tertiary students P2 500, P4 000 minimum wage and P300 to children under the age of five years.

He said as the new government, they always had an alternative plan up their sleeve, provided funds in the government coffers were insufficient to meet their promises to Batswana, which was to attract investors. Furthermore Mr Atamelang said the new government also plans to embark on a constitutional review.

In addition the Assistant Minister said he has a dream for Mmatshumo and Mosu villages, which is to merge Letlhakane and Mmatshumo villages, and also forge a trade link between Mosu and Mmatshumo.

He proposed to use a portion of land in Mmatshumo for hemp production to create employment opportunities. He urged the residents of both villages to embark on salt production as it could be used to make glass.

Mr Atamelang said Mosu village is rich in tourism and is a gateway to Makgadikgadi. He implored the residents to establish a tourism resort that could match the standards of Sun City in the North West, South Africa, with shareholding from the locals. He said it is time to embrace change.

“It is time to look into the future ahead of us, we are too dependent on diamonds,” he advised.

The Minister said he has promised to bring contextual beneficiation during his political campaigns, and the plan is to establish Boteti Development Fund, whereby all business partners in the mines would contribute one percent of their profits into the fund. In addition, he implored the residents to devise strategies to boost the economy of their villages. ENDS.