Residents of Xakao village in the Okavango East have raised concerns over the shortage of land, which has resulted in the slowing down of developments in their area.
The issue was brought up during a kgotla meeting addressed by the Assistant Minister of Local Government and Rural Development, Ignatius Moswaane, recently. The meeting formed part of government efforts to strengthen local governance, improve service delivery, and revive the economy.
Giving an update on village developments, the Village Development Committee (VDC) Chairperson, Galeyabaneng Kashongo, noted that land allocation has been a long-standing challenge that has slowed progress. “We cannot invest in permanent housing or small businesses without secure land ownership,” she said.
Kashongo added that although Xakao is designated as a service centre, it still lacks important government offices such as Landboard and Wildlife offices. She added that the kgotla offices have no electricity, which makes it difficult for the Chief and other tribal administration officers to carry out their duties.
Another resident, Matibela Mokowa, said young people do not own land and therefore miss out on opportunities such as the Bono housing scheme and government’s free electricity connections.
“We cannot even be allocated masimo plots that were originally owned by our grandparents along the riverbank,” Mokowa added.
In response, Assistant Minister Moswaane said his ministry continues to work closely with councils and land boards, whose services have a direct impact on people’s lives. He acknowledged that access to land remains one of the biggest challenges to national development, noting that land is the foundation for both settlement and economic activity.
Moswaane said government is working with stakeholders to speed up allocations and improve land board efficiency.
“By allocating residential and commercial plots faster, we can create jobs and stimulate demand for social infrastructure such as schools, clinics, and police stations,” he said.
The minister urged that surveys and mapping be prioritised to ensure villages are properly planned with space for business areas and internal roads.
He also encouraged land boards to allocate plots for community farming and cooperative projects under local development committees, saying this would empower citizens to drive their own growth.
Moswaane reminded residents that the current government inherited an economy under strain, with national reserves having dropped due to reduced mineral revenue and the effects of COVID-19. Despite these challenges, he assured Xakao residents that government remains committed to improving the lives of all Batswana through sustainable development and inclusive growth.
