Masole unveils master plan for Tutume
Lesedi Mkhutshwa | Monday March 3, 2025 13:21
Delivering his roadmap during a full council session, Masole stated that workplace efficiency for improved service delivery is top of his priorities. Therefore, he called for an effective monitoring and evaluation mechanism to track progress on whether they can achieve set targets. He also stated that he is going to promote good governance and fight against corruption. “I will also advocate for successful programmes and project implementation. Lack of resources has undoubtedly stalled multiple projects that can contribute positively to our development. We therefore have to speak in one voice for resource mobilisation,” added Masole. He also highlighted the need to continue focusing on the priorities espoused by Botswana’s Vision 2036 and the global agenda for sustainable development. He indicated that as a firm believer of time management, the council management will make it a point that in everything they do they will execute their diverse mandates seriously and respect timelines. Masole further said that they will equally adhere to their mission of transforming livelihoods through the provision of infrastructure development and social services for effective service delivery. “Together we shall live our vision, which is to build equitable and sustainable livelihoods for all and we will be guided by our pillars or values thus integrity and transparency,” he added.
Speaking about some of their efforts to develop the district, Masole said the total enrollment as at the beginning of Term 1 of 2025 in primary schools stood at 18, 741 recording a decrease of 848 learners from the last term of 2024. He therefore, pleaded for all the school authorities to implement the current government policy where possible, that requires that classroom to accommodate 40 learners. He said the move will address issues such as teaching and learning under undesirable places that prevail in some of the schools. Masole was concerned that they performed below par in the Supplementary Feeding Programme beginning of last term. To that effect, he added that the provision of food commodities such as eggs and bread were temporarily halted due to insufficient budget. “Council has received funds amounting to P9.46 million from the ministry and feeding will be provided as per the primary schools feeding menu. In this term ending April 2025, we have so far supplied samp and sorghum meal to all the 39 primary schools in the district,” he continued.
Preparations have commenced to procure the remaining food commodities, he said. He also said 6, 618 locals have benefitted through the dispensation of supplying bread, eggs, fruits, and agricultural produce to primary schools. On a different note, Masole was concerned about the pressing issue of Gender-Based Violence (GBV) in their district. Masole revealed that in 2023 their district has recorded 146 cases, and last year that figure escalated to 190. He stated that the statistics symbolise lives disrupted, families fractured, and communities in need of healing. Therefore, he urged leaders and relevant stakeholders to reflect on how they can combat this social epidemic in pursuit of their mandate to create a society that lives in harmony. When addressing the devastating floods, which occurred countrywide, Masole indicated that the heavy downpours have resulted not only in damage to infrastructure such as roads and houses but also in the tragic loss of life and personal property, he added. Masole said at least four deaths have been reported in the district since these disasters, as well as several injuries and 92 households affected. Additionally, he said Gweta village has been the worst affected with 38 cases followed by Lepashe with 18 and Dukwi with 17. He also commended the District Disaster Management Team and all those providing a helping hand for their prompt and tireless response in providing the required interventions, more especially to their vulnerable communities.