31 Mar 2025

Local government symposium on national Decentralisation Policy is on the cards. 

The symposium will allow councillors, scholars, media and other stakeholders to shape the policy. This was said by Minister of Local Government and Traditional Affairs, Mr Ketlhalefile Motshegwa when addressing Lobatse Town Council meeting recently. 

He said the Decentralisation Policy aimed to re-engineer local governance system to move the country toward achieving high economy status. He further said the policy came against the backdrop that Batswana desired for devolved governance where decision-making power and resources were transferred to their elected local governments.

“We want to re-engineer the entire system. We want to look at the role of councillors and councils and to understand their role because by virtue of their proximity to the people, they are in a better position to offer quality services to them. We will have a symposium to re-imagine, re-think, re-engineer the role of local government in advancing democracy and development agenda,” he said.

Also, he said the policy was designed to address key national challenges with citizen participation and social accountability, economic diversification and local economic development, youth employment and empowerment, public sector efficiency including coordination of sub-national entities.

Responding to the minister, all councillors appreciated the policy. Tsopeng South councillor, Mr Moalosi Rasesia said the policy was long overdue adding that its implementation must be fast  tracked. Nominated councillor, Mr Gofaone Kedise said giving local councils powers would improve efficiencies, adding that all must embrace the expected changes. 

For his part, Maokaneng councillor, Mr Oaitse Kedise called for the Ipelegeng Programme to be turned into a fully-fledged department to improve efficiencies in achieving its mandate. He also suggested that the Constituency Community Project (CCP) and the Poverty Eradication Programme must be coordinated under one roof to avoid double dipping by beneficiaries.

When implementing the Decentralisation Policy, Woodhall councillor Ms Kagiso Dintwe said it was critical to intensify anti-corruption measures, reassess the programmes that were in place and reinforce anti-corruption measures to have a credible local governance system.

Thema/Motswedi councillor Velem Heii appreciated the pace at which the ministry was speeding to get the Decentralisation Policy implemented. This, he noted was targeted at making transformations in the public sector. Furthermore, he underscored employee motivation for improved quality service delivery, including provision of decent staff accommodation. He appreciated that the policy would empower local authorities to take immediate action adding that councils would now have the legal grounds to engage in Public Private Partnership, which would drive local economy.

Peleng East councillor, Mr Bafo Monakwe called for revised wages for village development committee members, while nominated councillor, Mr Kago Malele said all legislative frameworks regarding Decentralisation Policy must address any loopholes that may lead to corruption.  

Deputy mayor and also New Look/ Maipei councillor, Mr Legodile Mothibi and Botoka councillor Onneetse Kagiso called for the revised amendment of Bogosi and Customary Act adding that headman of arbitration in urban areas must be remunerated at par with those in villages. ENDS