- proposed budget slashed by almost one hundred million pula
The North West District Council (NWDC) has approved a reduced budget of two hundred twenty-six million, five hundred ninety-seven thousand, nine hundred ninety pula for the 2025/2026 financial year.
The approval was however met with mixed feelings from councilors who voiced their disappointment over the ministry’s decision to slash the proposed budget by almost one hundred million pula.
NWDC Finance Committee Chairperson, Diare Baoketsi this week presented the budget proposal which reflected notable changes compared to the previous year.
He explained that the Revenue Support Grant (RSG) which is council’s primary source of funding was reduced by sixty-five million, nine hundred fifty-nine thousand, one hundred ninety-five pula (23.5%) from two hundred and eighty million, two hundred twenty-seven thousand, four hundred seventy pula in the 2024/2025 financial year to two hundred and fourteen million, two hundred sixty-eight thousand, two hundred seventy-five pula.
Despite this, Baoketsi noted a modest increase in income generated from the council’s own initiatives, which rose by eight hundred thirty-five thousand, nine hundred thirty-five pula (6.78%), bringing the total to twelve million, three hundred twenty-nine thousand, seven hundred fifteen pula.
“Overall, the council’s budget has shrunk by sixty-five million, one hundred twenty-three thousand, two hundred sixty pula (22.3%), a move attributed to financial constraints at the national level,” Baoketsi stated.
Baoketsi explained that personnel emoluments remain the largest budget category, consuming one hundred eighteen million, one hundred twenty thousand, eight hundred fifty pula (52.1%). This allocation covers salaries, pensions, and allowances for council staff and councilors but reflects a reduction of twenty-three million, nine hundred eighty-nine thousand, five hundred seventy-three pula (4.33%), with overtime allowances and terminal benefits excluded due to budgetary constraints.
Special expenses account for seventy-seven million, five hundred twenty-eight thousand, one hundred twenty pula (34.2%), an increase of three million, nine hundred forty-seven thousand, three hundred seventy-three pula (5%) from the previous year.
“Relief for destitute persons takes the largest share at thirty-seven million, nine hundred fifty-two thousand, nine hundred fifty pula (48.9%).Security services and school stationery receive fourteen million, six hundred ninety-eight thousand, two hundred pula (19%) and ten million, four hundred fourteen thousand, eight hundred pula (13.4%), respectively,”Baoketsi explained.
Baoketsi explained that establishment expenses have been sharply reduced by thirteen million, seventy-one thousand, six hundred forty-five pula (46%), leaving only fifteen million, four hundred twenty-seven thousand, four hundred pula (6.9%) for staff travel and other operational needs.
According to Baoketsi running expenses, including maintenance of grounds, buildings, fuel, and utilities, have been slashed by thirty-two million, nine thousand, four hundred fifteen pula (67%), with just fifteen million, five hundred twenty-one thousand, six hundred twenty pula (6.8%) allocated.
Among council departments Baoketsi has indicated that social and Community Development has the highest allocation of sixty-eight million, nine hundred forty-five thousand, five hundred eighty pula (30%), followed by Civil and Mechanical at twenty-five million, two hundred ninety-one thousand, eight hundred ninety pula (11.2%), and Education with twenty-three million, eighty-three thousand, six hundred ninety-one pula (10.2%). The Development Planning Department receives the smallest share, at six million, five hundred thirty-nine thousand, three hundred ninety pula (2.9%).
Despite approving the budget, councilors expressed dissatisfaction with the ministry’s decision to cut their initial proposal. Tsau/Semboyo/Makukung Councilor Gaapale Makudinyane emphasized the lack of communication from the ministry about the shortage of funds.
“We have not seen any written letter explaining why our budget was reduced. I suggest that, though we approve it, we write to the ministry to highlight how these cuts have negatively affected development and service delivery in our district,”Makudinyane noted.
Chanoga/Samedupi Councilor Nico Folae also shared similar frustrations, pointing to worsening infrastructure challenges. “Our district has roads, but no money has been allocated for their maintenance. Almost the entire district lacks functioning streetlights, but our budget constraints don’t allow us to address these critical issues.”
For his park Kubung/Kgosing ward Councilor Magonamo Mmolainyane echoed his concerns, particularly regarding the state of schools. “We are wondering how we will maintain dilapidated school buildings and classrooms with the current budget,students are being taught in unsafe conditions, yet we lack the funds to intervene,” he said.
Meanwhile, Botswana Congress Party (BCP)’s Itumeleng Kelebetseng has been re-elected chairman of the North West District Council.
Kelebetseng contested against former council chairman and newly nominated councillor, Kebareeditse Ntsogotho of Umbrella for Democratic Change (UDC). With BCP holding majority of seats in the Council, Kelebetseng received 26 votes against Ntsogotho’s 6 ballots, and a single spoilt vote.
Kelebetseng’s deputy is Vepaune Moreti who is the former chairperson of Maun Sub District which has since been incorporated into NWDC when councils were upgraded in 2022. Moreti also of BCP defeated UDC’s Kobamelo Baikgodise with 26 votes against his 7.
Baikgodise of Matlapana ward is the only UDC Councillor who emerged victorious at the general elections when BCP won majority of the seats.
NWDC comprises of 21 BCP councilors, 7 UDC (including 6 nominated), 3 from former ruling Botswana Democratic Party (BDP) and 2 independent councilors making a total of 33. From the 33 councilors, only 4 are female.
In his acceptance speech, the newly elected council chairman Kelebetseng, has urged councilors and employees to collaborate effectively to promote socio-economic development in the region. He also emphasized the importance of employees implementing council policies and programs, while urging the political wing to offer support and cooperation to achieve positive outcomes.
Acknowledging that many councilors are new to the council, he called on employees to exercise patience and provide guidance to ensure efficient service delivery. “Approximately 60 percent of the councilors are new and may not be familiar with certain issues, so I encourage employees to support and guide them. Batswana have chosen a new government, and we anticipate significant changes moving forward,” he noted.
