30 Jul 2017

As years come and go, so are dreams of this small village.

For a while, residents have lived with a glimmer of hope and endurance.

Just 18 kilometres away from Gaborone, they have always believed that developments will be the shining grace of their village.

Unfortunately, that has not been the case, as developments are coming at a snail pace.

Found along the Gaborone-Molepolole road, Metsimotlhabe is part of the greater Gaborone. As the cock crows every morning, residents remain hopeful that investors will knock on their door and give the village a new look.

Recently, a retail store Saverite and Cooperative opened doors for the community.

‘We are hoping and waiting for more developments in a near future,’ said Kgosi Raphael Mmipi of Metsimotlhabe.

Kgosi Mmipi said he was wondering why the private sector did not see Metsimotlhabe as a place worth their investment.
He said shopping has been a stressing aspect of residents for a long time.

“We have been relying on tuck shops, there were no alternatives,” said Kgosi Mmipi.

However, it is a norm to see long queues in the morning for combis heading to Gaborone.

Lately, the Department of Road Transport and Safety has also helped lower the burden of residents. It has created new routes like Metsimotlhabe-Game City.

Metsimotlhabe has been a place for accommodation to many of those working in the city.

The other recent development is the post office. For some time, the elderly people were paid their pension at the kgotla.

This denotes that there will be less commotion at the kgotla and residents can enjoy other services such as renewing of vehicle licenses and sending money.

“The post office still needs a place to build a bigger building, but we are glad it is available,” explained Kgosi Mmipi.

In addition, the police officers were awarded a caravan in a move aimed at creating space at the kgotla offices.

Pabalelong Hospice has also been part of the village for some time. It takes care of the sick people and provides medical and spiritual care as well as physiotherapy.

ABM Entrepreneurship Development Centre is one of the developments that will give the splendor to the village.

Kgosi Mmipi thanked the government for Ipelegeng as it has enabled people to put food on the table.

With a population of 9 265 according to the 2011 population census, Metsimotlhabe has two primary schools, a junior secondary school and a clinic.

Kgosi Mmipi asked for more tarred roads as a way to attract investors considering that during rainy seasons the roads posed a challenge.

The village takes pride in having the biggest river in Kweneng District, Metsimotlhabe River. Walking around the village one will not miss the board written’ trading in sand, clay and gravel is illegal.’

“Having the river has made us the target of illegal sand mining,” Kgosi Mmipi said.

He said the river posed danger in times of floods as it could overflow and children may drown.

However, Kgosi Mmipi is hopeful that in future, the river may attract tourism ventures.

The river also poses danger in times of flooding to businesses like Tara Farm.

According to the supervisor of the farm, Mr Chancy Ziyenderana, the water got in to the farm shop where all the fertilizers were destroyed.

The flooding left the farm behind schedule as they plant vegetables throughout the year. However, they cannot start planting now as the seeds will be washed by the flooding river.

However, Metsimotlhabe has a sore bearing.

There is a worrying increase in cell phone theft and breaking in houses at night. Criminals get away with valuables hence safety is compromised.

Kgosi Mmipi also laments about the influx of drugs particularly marijuana.

“I wish the community and police can work together to alleviate this,” said Kgosi Mmipi. ENDS