MLGTA Minister outlines vision in 100-day plan
Tsaone Basimanebotlhe | Tuesday December 3, 2024 13:07
According to the ministry, primarily says it aims to establish democratic and accountable local governance for communities, ensure the sustainable delivery of basic services, promote both social and economic development, and foster a safe and healthy environment. The minister at the MLGTA, Ketlhalefile Motshegwa, said they encourage active participation from communities and community-based organisations in governance and sustainable development initiatives. “Our vision is about Sustainable Livelihoods and Effective Local Governance and will be realised through the delivery of socio-economic development services and municipal infrastructure through effective and efficient local governance for environmentally sustainable development and improved lives of all Batswana,” he said at a media briefing about his 100-day plan on Monday. Furthermore, he said after 58 years of local government in Botswana, the ushering of the Second Republic provides an opportunity to reimagine, through local government services, a beautiful nation’s future. Moreover, he said in reimagining, they should pay attention to localities, in particular rural areas, with a view to building resilient, sustainable, prosperous, connected, cohesive, non-sexist, and climate-smart communities.
He added that they will be fundamentally guided by the Constitution which provides for a two-tier system of governance, the second of which is Local Government. Motshegwa said the ministry’s value proposition within government is, therefore, to deliver basic services, effective local governance and ensure that communities’ livelihoods are enhanced. “We further exist to uphold and protect the existence of our traditional governance system which plays an integral part of local government machinery,” he continued. In addition, the minister said coordination of rural development initiatives through the Rural Development Council remains central to the mandate of the ministry. The minister pointed out that the ministry’s over-arching objective therefore is to be a customer-focused centre of excellence in service delivery, social protection, development coordination, community mobilisation, local governance, and capacity-building.
He, however, said to achieve this, current strategic intent is anchored on expected impact areas such as local governance, social safety, economic empowerment, effective service delivery, and access to quality basic services. In addition, he said the ministry’s current Strategy and Transformation Plan is aimed at putting Local Government firmly in line with the new government commitments. He revealed that it is on the right track towards achieving Vision 2036 and how over time the ministry will realise transformation by implementing six interrelated strategic objectives that constitute the fundamental pillars of this transformation plan. Therefore, according to the minister, reorganising the ministry improves its organisational performance including monitoring and evaluation, successfully implements Phase 1 of the Decentralisation Policy, develops and implements a Local Government Digital Transformation Strategy and Plan, plays a catalytic role in building inclusive, resilient, and sustainable local economies, provides effective and efficient local services and infrastructure, and provides inclusive, shock responsive and adaptive social protection services.