Ministry of Local Government and Traditional Affairs - Botswana

𝐂𝐎𝐔𝐑𝐓𝐄𝐒𝐘 𝐌𝐄𝐄𝐓𝐈𝐍𝐆 𝐖𝐈𝐓𝐇 𝐅𝐀𝐎 𝐒𝐔𝐁-𝐑𝐄𝐆𝐈𝐎𝐍𝐀𝐋 𝐂𝐎𝐎𝐑𝐃𝐈𝐍𝐀𝐓𝐎𝐑 𝐅𝐎𝐑 𝐒𝐎𝐔𝐓𝐇𝐄𝐑𝐍 𝐀𝐅𝐑𝐈𝐂𝐀

The Minister of Local Government and Traditional Affairs, Hon. Ketlhalefile F.C. Motshegwa, earlier today held a courtesy meeting with the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) Sub-Regional Coordinator for Southern Africa, Mr. Patrice Talla, to discuss areas of collaboration aimed at advancing sustainable development, food security, and poverty reduction in Botswana.

Speaking during the meeting, Mr. Patrice Talla outlined the purpose of his visit, which included the ongoing First Global Private Sector Forum on Sustainable Rangeland Management and Livestock System. He indicated that FAO is engaging with a range of stakeholders and partners to strengthen collaboration and advance development priorities in the region.

Mr. Talla reaffirmed FAO's commitment to supporting efforts aimed at diversifying economies through agriculture and strengthening food systems. He also expressed interest in building on existing support for school feeding programmes as a means of improving livelihoods and supporting rural communities.

On the Green Cities Initiative, Mr. Talla noted that FAO is currently working with UN-Habitat on a pilot programme and hopes to expand the initiative across the country in line with its mandate. He added that FAO will continue exploring opportunities to mobilize resources and strengthen partnerships to support sustainable urban development.

In his remarks, Minister Motshegwa expressed appreciation for FAO's continued commitment and partnership with Botswana. He highlighted the Ministry's responsibility for developing and implementing policies and programmes that support local government and rural development. He noted that the government is pioneering initiatives aimed at uplifting agriculture and other productive sectors to promote self-sufficiency and strengthen national food security.

Minister Motshegwa acknowledged the long-standing partnership between Botswana and FAO, emphasising that the organization's mandate aligns closely with the objectives of the social development sector, particularly in addressing inequality and alleviating poverty. He noted that in light of reduced government funding, development partners such as FAO have become increasingly important in helping to bridge resource gaps and support critical programmes that improve livelihoods.

Deputy Permanent Secretary for Social Development, Mr. Kabo D. Moseki, described FAO as a close and valued partner. He stressed the importance of strengthening collaboration through knowledge-sharing and technical expertise, which would enable successful initiatives to be scaled up across different parts of the country. He highlighted the School Feeding Programme as an example of an intervention that serves not only as a social protection measure for children but also as an economic empowerment tool, with local farmers and producers supplying food to schools and benefiting from sustainable market opportunities.

Acting Permanent Secretary, Ms. Baipelelang Photlokwe, informed the meeting that the Ministry is already developing an action plan for the greening of cities initiative. She noted that the programme is intended to promote functional, sustainable, and environmentally friendly urban spaces through innovative and smart approaches to urban development.

𝐀𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐧𝐭 𝐌𝐢𝐧𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐦𝐩𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬 𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐮𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐲-𝐃𝐫𝐢𝐯𝐞𝐧 𝐃𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐥𝐨𝐩𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐑𝐮𝐫𝐚𝐥 𝐈𝐧𝐝𝐮𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐢𝐚𝐥𝐢𝐬𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐢𝐧 𝐌𝐨𝐠𝐚𝐩𝐢𝐧𝐲𝐚𝐧𝐚.

Assistant Minister of Local Government and Traditional Affairs, Mokwaledi I. Moswaane, addressed a Kgotla meeting in Mogapinyana village, where he urged residents to fully embrace community-driven development as a strategy for advancing economic growth, job creation, and improved livelihoods.

Hon. Moswaane emphasised rural industrialisation as a key pillar of government’s development agenda and encouraged communities to actively utilise structures such as Village Development Committees (VDCs), cooperatives, and community trusts to unlock development opportunities.

He urged the Land Board to allocate land to the VDC for the establishment of a community shopping center, which he said would create employment opportunities and stimulate local economic activity. He also called for the allocation of land for a large-scale community farm, where residents can engage in vegetable production to strengthen food security, promote self-reliance, and generate income for households.

In addition, he proposed further development initiatives including rental housing for public servants, sports and recreational facilities, a preschool, and an Ikageng skills development center focused on construction training. He further encouraged the development of community gardens, feedlots, abattoirs, and a local market space to support small businesses.

The Assistant Minister stressed that all proposed projects should be incorporated into the village’s Annual Development Plan to ensure coordination, sustainability, and effective implementation. He also called for stronger local coordination structures, including a Mogapinyana Youth Development Association and a Development Advisory Committee to drive implementation.

In her welcome remarks, Kgosi Kebasetswe Winnie Sebedi II raised concerns affecting the village, including medication shortages at clinics, alcohol abuse among youth, livestock control challenges, and inadequate basic services on residential plots. The Village Development Committee Chairperson also highlighted challenges in health, education, policing, and Bogosi administration.

The Assistant Minister later paid a courtesy call to the clinic, where he met with medical officers who briefed him on their daily duties and the challenges they encounter in the course of their work.

𝐈𝐍𝐓𝐄𝐑𝐍𝐀𝐓𝐈𝐎𝐍𝐀𝐋 𝐓𝐑𝐀𝐕𝐄𝐋𝐋𝐄𝐑𝐒 - 𝐇𝐄𝐋𝐏 𝐏𝐑𝐄𝐕𝐄𝐍𝐓 𝐄𝐁𝐎𝐋𝐀

If you have recently travelled to, or been in contact with someone who has travelled from, a country experiencing an Ebola outbreak, please monitor your health closely. Early reporting of symptoms and seeking medical attention promptly can help protect you, your loved ones, and the community.

Stay informed. Stay vigilant. Together, we can prevent the spread of Ebola.

𝐀𝐒𝐒𝐈𝐒𝐓𝐀𝐍𝐓 𝐌𝐈𝐍𝐈𝐒𝐓𝐄𝐑 𝐌𝐎𝐒𝐖𝐀𝐀𝐍𝐄'𝐒 𝐄𝐍𝐆𝐀𝐆𝐄𝐌𝐄𝐍𝐓𝐒 𝐓𝐇𝐈𝐒 𝐖𝐄𝐄𝐊

𝐌𝐢𝐧𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐌𝐨𝐭𝐬𝐡𝐞𝐠𝐰𝐚 𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐦𝐩𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬 𝐏𝐫𝐢𝐦𝐚𝐫𝐲 𝐇𝐞𝐚𝐥𝐭𝐡 𝐂𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐚𝐭 𝐌𝐦𝐚𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐒𝐩𝐨𝐧𝐬𝐨𝐫𝐞𝐝 𝐖𝐚𝐥𝐤

The Minister of Local Government and Traditional Affairs, Mr. Ketlhalefile F.C. Motshegwa, this morning participated in the Mmadinare Primary Hospital Advisory Board Sponsored Walk, an initiative aimed at promoting healthy lifestyles, preventive healthcare, early diagnosis, and the effective management of common health conditions.

Speaking at the event, Minister Motshegwa noted that primary health care has been transferred to the Ministry of Local Government and Traditional Affairs following the reconfiguration of ministerial responsibilities by the new administration. He emphasized that primary health care forms the foundation of a robust health system, serving as the first point of contact between communities and healthcare services.

The Minister further highlighted that the National Decentralisation Policy ensures that councils, Village Development Committees (VDCs), Dikgosi, and Ikageng Committees collectively contribute to the delivery of quality and comprehensive healthcare services. He said the policy is designed to bring development, including primary health care services, closer to the people and ultimately improve community health outcomes.

Mmadinare Primary Hospital Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Rabanyana, said the event fosters collaboration between government, healthcare professionals, and the public in addressing healthcare matters and challenges. He noted that simple healthy behaviours can significantly reduce the burden of chronic diseases and stressed the importance of proper nutrition and healthy eating habits.

Minister Motshegwa also highlighted key programmes currently being implemented by the Ministry including:

• Provision of infant formula
• Distribution of Tsabana and Malutu
• P300 Child Support Grant, including arrears payments
• School Feeding Programme

𝐌𝐈𝐍𝐈𝐒𝐓𝐑𝐘 𝐎𝐅 𝐋𝐎𝐂𝐀𝐋 𝐆𝐎𝐕𝐄𝐑𝐍𝐌𝐄𝐍𝐓 𝐀𝐍𝐃 𝐓𝐑𝐀𝐃𝐈𝐓𝐈𝐎𝐍𝐀𝐋 𝐀𝐅𝐅𝐀𝐈𝐑𝐒 𝐀𝐏𝐏𝐄𝐀𝐑𝐒 𝐁𝐄𝐅𝐎𝐑𝐄 𝐏𝐀𝐂
The Public Accounts Committee examined the Ministry of Local Government and Traditional Affairs, where Acting Permanent Secretary Ms. Tshepho Kebakile accounted for the ministry's financial performance.

𝐇𝐄𝐀𝐋𝐓𝐇 𝐀𝐋𝐄𝐑𝐓 - 𝐄𝐁𝐎𝐋𝐀 𝐀𝐖𝐀𝐑𝐄𝐍𝐄𝐒𝐒

𝐒𝐓𝐀𝐘 𝐈𝐍𝐅𝐎𝐑𝐌𝐄𝐃. 𝐒𝐓𝐀𝐘 𝐒𝐀𝐅𝐄. 𝐒𝐓𝐀𝐘 𝐕𝐈𝐆𝐈𝐋𝐀𝐍𝐓