23 Apr 2025

The Minister for State President, Mr Moeti Mohwasa,  says consultations on the National Development Plan (NDP) 12 will ensure that the aspirations and priorities of Batswana and the new government are fully reflected in the plan. 

When addressing district leaders in Francistown on Monday, Mr Mohwasa emphasised the need for them to contribute meaningful to NDP 12 so that it would entail key plans and strategies that  improved the lives of Batswana. 

Mr Mohwasa urged those who attended the meeting, among them MPs, dikgosi, councillors and court presidents to come up with projects which would go a long way in benefiting Batswana. 

He encouraged all the districts to play their part in supporting those in leadership and work as a collective in sharing ideas and come up with best ways of taking the country forward. 

Mr Mohwasa said these consultations would map a way forward for Botswana, adding that currently the country was not where it was supposed to be. 

Mr Mohwasa said preparation of NDP 12, which was expected to commence in April 2025 was delayed because the available time was too short to allow for meaningful engagement with the new administration and other stakeholders. He said NDP 12 was now expected to commence in November 2025. 

For her part, the National Planning Commission (NPC) Assistant Commissioner General, Ms Kountze Mokgwathi, said the consultations would go on and cover all the district to gather different ideas and concerns. 

Ms Mokgwathi said consultations with all the 31 districts would assist in identifying key national priorities, citing that as government they had a target which include growing the economy by five per cent and creating 100 000 jobs each year. 

When responding to the minister, speakers commended  government for the consultations which would lead to the betterment of the lives of the citizens. 

In his comment, Nkange MP, Mr Motlhaleemang Moalosi said NDP 12 should incorporate projects such as roads which would impact the lives of Batswana positively, adding that government finances should be used wisely. ENDS