Minister of State President, Moeti Mohwasa has urged both public servants and community leaders to take a more accountable and results-driven approach to the development of the country.
As Botswana prepares to launch the Twelfth National Development Plan (NDP 12), the minister held consultations with the North West District leadership in Maun to gather insights, priorities, and challenges from them. NDP 12 aims to realign the new government priorities with aspirations of Botswana and is expected to be unveiled later this year (November 1st).
The discussions involved Members of Parliament, Councillors, Dikgosi, and VDC Chairpersons, focusing on preparations for NDP 12.
The minister emphasized the urgent need for a change in how government entities operate. Mohwasa condemned the persistent issue of corruption within public institutions and called for government workers to step up their efforts in delivering quality services to citizens.
“We must change the way we do things to ensure we are truly benefiting the people of Botswana. The public service must be more efficient, more accountable, and more transparent,” the minister said, stressing that public institutions must work harder to meet the needs of the public.
Mohwasa also addressed the lack of tangible benefits seen from previous development plans, acknowledging that while the plans were well-intentioned, they had not fully addressed the challenges faced by the public. He called on community leaders to propose projects that would directly benefit their communities and promote real change.
“Many of our previous national development efforts have fallen short of their potential. This time, with NDP12, we must focus on what truly works for the people—projects that bring lasting benefits and address the needs of the community,” he added.
As the consultations for NDP12 progress, Mohwasa urged leaders to prioritise initiatives that aim to reduce the wealth gap and ensure equitable development across all sectors. He stressed the importance of ensuring that government programs work for the people, rather than serving as ineffective initiatives that yield no real results.
“Leaders must work together to bridge the gap between the rich and the poor. We cannot afford to let these disparities persist if we want a prosperous Botswana for all,” he stated.
For his part, Chairperson for the North West District Council, Itumeleng Kelebetseng, emphasised the need for greater decentralisation of resources and responsibilities.
He pleaded with central government to allow local authorities to benefit directly from royalties generated from community resources, noting that such a move would significantly strengthen the capacity of councils to deliver services more effectively.
Kelebetseng further highlighted the challenges faced in waste management and proposed that the management of landfills be transferred to independent companies with the expertise and resources to handle them more efficiently. He suggested that these companies work in partnership with councils to ensure improved service delivery while easing the burden on local authorities.
