12 Mar 2013

Central District councillors have requested government to create markets for poverty eradication beneficiaries.

The councillors made the appeal when commenting on a presentation by Assistant Minister for Presidential Affairs and Public Administration, Dr Gloria Somolekae during the ongoing Central District full council meeting.

They underscored the importance of creating a market for beneficiaries to sell their produce.

Councillor Lazarus Lekgoanyane of Palla Road called for a review of the programme adding that a proper feasibility study must be done.  He said some of the beneficiaries were successful and had graduated from poverty, but it was critical to address the problem of lack of a market to sell their produce.

He stated that beneficiaries needed proper coaching, guidance and monitoring so that they would be able to maintain their projects. He also said they needed to be trained in business management.

Sharing the same sentiments, Motshegaletau councillor, Mr Molao Montsho said beneficiaries struggled to sell their produce and make a living because they had the problem of transport. Another challenge, which had a major impact on the beneficiaries was shortage of water. 

The councillors appealed to the assistant minister to help beneficiaries connect water in their homesteads so that they could maintain their gardens, adding that water connection charges were very high and thus unaffordable.

When briefing the councillors, Dr Somolekae said the mandate of the poverty eradication programme was to restore dignity for the less privileged members of the society.

She said statistics showed that close to 373 000 people were living below the poverty datum line while records from social and community development had recorded 29 000 people living under abject poverty.

Dr Somolekae explained that government had established the poverty eradication programme in the form of backyard gardens and alternative packages to address poverty.  She noted that since government introduced the programme, the numbers of people living under abject poverty had dropped significantly.

Dr Somolekae pointed out that the programme was positive in that it also addressed the issue of food nutrition and a balanced diet, while restoring the dignity of beneficiaries.

She also stated that government had realised the need to reinforce and mobilise projects to ensure maximum uptake of the programme. She thus appealed to the councillors to educate their communities about these programmes.

On the issue of providing a market for the beneficiaries’ produce, Dr Somolekae said government was still trying to figure out how beneficiaries could be assisted by forming corporatives. She said they had realised that in many instances, beneficiaries could supply the market as individuals, but would be able to meet the market demand as a team. ENDS