The North West District Council (NWDC) has unanimously approved a motion by Councillor for Tsau/Semboyo/Makakung, Gaapale Makudunyane requesting the Ministry of Local Government and Traditional Affairs to consider reinstating the increased Ipelegeng quota that was initially implemented as drought mitigation measures.
In August 2025, President Duma Boko announced the 2024/2025 rainfall season was not a drought year. The declaration followed an assessment that showed normal to above-average rainfall across Botswana.
Consequently, the Ipelegeng monthly quota in North West District for 2025/26 financial year have seen a decrease from the 2024/2025 approved quota of 6318 to 4332 beneficiaries.
Debating his motion, Makudunyane has however noted that the district continues to experience high numbers of people on the Ipelegeng waiting list. This he argued proves that the reduction has negative implications on the livelihoods of the beneficiaries who heavily rely on the programme.
He highlighted that when the enrolled beneficiaries were recently not paid their monthly wages of four months, majority of households were left severely struggling proving that the programme is their main economic support system.
The Ministry had failed to pay thousands of the beneficiaries across all the districts on time citing broader financial constraints stemming from the country’s low economic performance.
Further, Makudinyane also argued that despite the normal to above-average rainfall recorded across the country, the drought situation in the district has still not changed. “Yes, there was rain but people in our district still experienced a significant decline in crop yields. They have also lost their cattle in the past two years. This shows that drought is still ongoing in our region.”
Meanwhile, an Ipelgeng report recently presented before council shows that to facilitate the implementation of the Programme in North West District, over P65 million has been requested for the 2025/26 financial year being a decrease of P6,232,480 from the 2024/2025 disbursed amount of P71,629,704.00.
“From the requested funds a total of P2,561,869.00 will be used to implement 15 technical projects,” read the report.
The report also highlighted a high number of beneficiaries on the waiting list as one of the challenges faced by the programme. The report also recommends for the retainment of additional quota which came about due to the adverse effects of drought.
It further suggested for the re-introduction of running costs for the programme so that it can effectively deliver on its mandate.
This as the report made conclusion that although the engagement of labourers is on a temporary basis, the programme continues to meet its relief objective by empowering local citizens through labour works and engagement of local artisans to carryout essential development projects as well as carrying out of minor and major maintenance works.
