Francistown economic woes fuel social vices
Lesedi Mkhutshwa | Wednesday July 9, 2025 12:34
Speaking during President Duma Boko's recent visit, Majere said Francistown has been hard-hit by the collapse of the economy.
He said the economic situation has led to a rise in unemployment, leaving many young and elderly people feeling hopeless.
Some, Majere added, have turned to drug and substance abuse, whilst others have resorted to prostitution.
He also highlighted the city's severe shortage of land, stating that the last person to be allocated land in Francistown was in 1992.
'Many people are still on the waiting list, with approximately 16,000 individuals currently waiting,' the mayor added.
However, Majere expressed hope that the situation would improve following the purchase of 45 hectare-land from Tati Company.
'We have been waiting for our share so that we can proceed with land allocation,' he added.
Majere also expressed concern about the rising illegal mining activities in the city, which are often carried out by undocumented immigrants working in syndicates.
He stated that these individuals dig holes in search of gold in some parts of the city, posing a risk to public safety.
Majere wondered why it was difficult to issue Batswana with concessions in the affected areas to prevent illegal mining.
On a separate note, the city mayor emphasised the need for deliberate actions and initiatives to diversify the city's economy.
He suggested that hosting major events in Francistown could boost economic activities and benefit local businesses.
In response, Boko acknowledged the concerns raised by the residents and leaders, stating that all the problems could be addressed with sufficient funding, which the country currently lacks.
He noted that creating jobs requires revenue and resources to reawaken the country's economy.
Boko also highlighted the country's over-reliance on diamond revenue, which has declined over the past three years, and emphasised the need to diversify into other sectors, such as agriculture.