01 Apr 2025

Village Development Committees (VDCs) in the North West District (NWD) have been urged to play their role in ensuring the success of the Ipelegeng programme.

The Council Secretary Mr Thatayotlhe Balapi made the encouragement during a consultative meeting on the presentation of the project memorandum for the implementation of Ipelegeng programme for financial year 2025/2026 recently in Maun, noting that the transformed Ipelegeng was more result-oriented hence they should commit to their work, improve its efficiency and effectiveness.

One of the components of the transformed Ipelegeng programme aims at honing skills amongst participants to allow them to graduate from the programme to self-employment in related construction industry trades. 

Mr Balapi called on the VDCs to strengthen their supervision and ensure adherence to the programme guidelines, noting some disturbing reports that some workers literally slept at work while some played truancy.  He emphasised that they should ensure that employees worked hard so that they contributed to the development of their communities by carrying out essential development projects. 

“As VDCs you have been entrusted to help supervise and guide workers and as such I encourage you to up your game and ensure the programme produces the expected results. You should treat the programme as public works not a programme to pass time,” he said.

Furthermore, he said they should appreciate that government increased Ipelegeng wages to reduce the adverse effects of unemployment and ultimately raise the standard of living of the beneficiaries. 

Earlier on, the District Ipelegeng Coordinator,  Mr Thabo Buisanyang informed the gathering which comprised of district leadership including Village Extension Teams and other stakeholders, that the project memorandum requested funds amounting to P65 397 224 for the implementation of the Ipelegeng Programme in NWD. 

The district quota, he said, would therefore increase from the approved 4 332 beneficiaries to 6 318 beneficiaries, noting that the overall quota included 140 beneficiaries to be engaged on the Ipelegeng Skills Development Component (ISDC) projects. From the requested funds, a total of P2 561 869 would be used to implement 15 technical projects comprising of five guard houses in primary schools of Matsaudi, Disaneng, Moremi, Tsau and Bonatla whilst construction of a kgotla shelter would be done at Shorobe. 

Mr Buisanyang said  maintenance of four staff houses at Moeti and Matshwane, and installation of water pressure boost system at Shashe, Boseja, Xhabara, Disana and Sehithwa primary schools would be done. He  said the proposed labour intensive projects including desilting of culverts and storm water drainages, litter picking, vegetation control, debushing and sweeping of internal roads. 

Furthermore, an additional amount of P400 000 would be used to buy small tools and equipment’s for the programme, whilst an amount of P161 869 from the proposed funding would be used to procure stationery being two laptops, a computer and printers for the programme. 

Mr Buisanyang said through the programme, they would also prioritise the development of access roads to agricultural production areas, noting that workers would continue to de-bush Matsaudi-Gwedau-Daunara 15km road, Mochaba-Ghabamochaa-Quxao-Morutsha 21km road, as well as de-bush the Makalamabedi-Phefodiafoka 20km access road, and Mawana-Shorobe access road. He said they also focused on projects targeting environmental cleanliness to improve the upkeep of the district thus rendering it safe and clean for its inhabitants and improving the outlook of the district. 

“This programme will provide employment opportunities for all who qualify, including the elderly citizens until the guidelines are reviewed. At the moment there is nothing that stops us from hiring elderly people; we should comply with the existing guidelines,” he emphasised when responding to some comments from some participants. ENDS