10 Jan 2013

Ngwaketse South MP, Mr Peter Siele says poverty eradication programmes such as ISPAAD and LIMID should be seen as initiatives towards economic diversification.

When addressing a kgotla meeting in Digawana on Wednesday,  he urged residents to consider alternative packages that government had such as opening salons, laundry marts and bakeries.

Mr Siele, also Minister of Local Government and Rural Development, said this would bridge the gap and open job opportunities in the village rather than depend on products and services from as far as Good Hope and Lobatse.

Mr Siele said Ipelegeng beneficiaries had been increased from 17 to 40 and would further be increased during the 2013/2014 financial year.

He urged residents to desist from depending on government poverty eradication programmes alone, but to take advantage of government programmes to create job opportunities.

The Village Development Committee secretary, Ms Utlwanang Mothibe complained about lack of policing cars and transport for kgosi when visiting neighbouring villages. She added that there was shortage of staff at the clinic. She said lack of accommodation for civil servants was a concern.

In response, Mr Siele said their grievances would be addressed, but reminded residents to bare in mind that the country’s economy was still recovering from global recession.

He said government was coming up with a programme whereby property developers would build houses and rent them to civil servants. He encouraged residents to sell their livestock and partake in the programme.

He explained that property development was a viable investment because it appreciated as compared to livestock farming which was engulfed by a lot of problems.

ENDS