25 Mar 2025

The Mayor of Selibe Phikwe Town Council, Mr Oageng Makgosa has called for the resuscitation of child protection measures by all stakeholders  to address the escalating reports of gender-based violence (GBV) affecting children.

Mr Makgosa said this on Tuesday during the going council meeting.

He said that some children in the district continued to suffer from various types of gender violence.

He said currently five cases of defilement, two of physical abuse, and one of sodomy all involving minors had been reported.

Mr Makgosa said multifaceted strategies such as coordination between relevant stakeholders, establishment of more children-friendly areas, and the restoration of community structures could make a difference in  addressing GBV amongst minors.

“The well-being of children is paramount therefore parents, communities and caretakers should not remain silent when issues of GBV surface. It should be a collective responsibility to ensure safety of children. Stakeholders should work together continuously to create safeguards that can identify, prevent and respond to GBV acts,” he said.

Mr Makgosa said if GBV cases involving minors were not addressed, victims may experience long term psychological impacts with an increased risk of them falling prey to future violence.

In regards to service delivery and productivity within the council, Mr Makgosa reiterated the need for a transformative mind-set change, citing the traditional values of botho, bonatla, bofefo and botswerere.

“For us to grow and meet expectations of our customers, we first need to reflect on the values and principles that bind us together, these will be guiding principles to transform approaches to governance and community engagement,” he said.

Mr Makgosa also shared that the council revenue base was still a concern despite all efforts to bring it to normalcy. 

He said council was owed P 23 045 534.42 in rates and service levy arrears collectively.

Regarding the approaches used to support sustainable livelihoods, Mr Makgosa said that while the council was making efforts through its Poverty Eradication and Economic Empowerment Programmes, it was regrettable that some of the assisted people did not contribute to the success of the initiative they received.

He said out of the 283 initiatives that were rolled out only 64 were operational and 118 had  failed while 32  never took-off. ENDS