03 Mar 2025

Jwaneng Town councillors have called for land servicing in the township to enable plot allocations.

The councillors said land servicing would eventually alleviate acute shortage of accommodation in Jwaneng, which had resulted in exorbitant rentals.

Responding to the mayor’s speech this week, Ngami ward councillor Mr Bankinyana Montsiemang said land servicing should be prioritised to meet the growing demand for accommodation in Jwaneng. He noted that land servicing was last done for Unit 8 over a decade ago, hence the need to service more units.

“We are all aware of accommodation shortage in our town and land servicing should be top in our priority list to address this challenge. Even though the council currently does not have a budget, we have to start the process request funds in preparation for land servicing,” he said.

Alternatively, Mr Montsiemang said the council should request a waiver to allocate non-serviced plots, while awaiting funds. He noted that this would contribute towards expediting plot allocations and alleviating shortage of accommodation.

He said the Botswana Housing Corporation was lagging behind in maintaining houses in Jwaneng, particularly in the area commonly known as Samaphaleche situated in Ngami ward. He also underscored the need for Jwaneng Town Council to partner with the private sector to develop the land behind Choppies mall.

He said such partnerships would go a long way in bringing more services as well as creating direct and indirect employment opportunities for the residents of Jwaneng and surrounding villages. Kgalagadi ward councillor, Mr Mothibedi Watshipi shared the same sentiments, adding that plot allocation could not keep up with the demand.

“We should all speak in one voice and request the ministry to consider allowing plot allocation on non-serviced land because the demand is too high. The waiting list dates back to the 1990s and most people get allocated after losing their source of income,” he said.

Nominated councillor, Ms Joyce Medupe noted that low income earners were the hardest hit and should be included in the proposed affordable housing initiative.

“The affordable housing initiative should be given the urgent and necessary attention for us to address accommodation shortage in Jwaneng. The programme should also be inclusive so that more people can afford,” she said.

The mayor, Mr Ronica Ntsimako had indicated that as part of mid-term priority areas, the council would promote affordable housing initiatives to alleviate shortage of accommodation in Jwaneng. He said the council would request the ministry to continue allocating plots in non-serviced areas, and also consider Public Private Partnerships (PPP) for land servicing.

“The pace of servicing land continues to hamper allocations. The council will approach the Ministry of Lands and Agriculture and request a waiver to continue allocating land that is not yet serviced,” he said. ENDS