Motlaleng’s bold vision shakes up Gaborone
Tsaone Basimanebotlhe | Wednesday July 16, 2025 13:53
Some doubted his ability to bring real change to the capital, citing long-standing challenges and a lack of progress under previous mayors.
Others, however, clung to hope, rooted in his years of grassroots leadership and unwavering advocacy for the less privileged.
Motlaleng has served as the councillor for Naledi North since 2014, earning a reputation for his fearless approach to speaking truth to power.
He was never afraid to ruffle feathers or even be ejected from full council sessions if it meant raising critical issues affecting his constituents.
That same fearless energy and dedication have now found a broader platform at the City Hall.
From the moment he was elected mayor, Motlaleng made his intentions crystal clear.
He envisioned a clean, safe, and economically vibrant city, a 'diamond city' as he put it, gleaming with opportunity and order. He promised to extend a hand to private companies, urging them to partner with the city to uplift Gaborone, both in terms of infrastructure and safety.
Naturally, many sceptics dismissed his pronouncements as recycled political rhetoric. After all, many of his predecessors had made similar promises, only to fade quietly into the daily grind of city management. But Motlaleng was determined to prove them wrong, and he quickly did.
Within weeks of taking office, Gaborone residents witnessed action that hadn’t been seen in years. A bold city-wide clean-up campaign was launched. Overgrown bushes, infamous hideouts for thieves, were cut back.
Council workers were seen cleaning stormwater trenches, whilst health inspectors fanned out across the city, inspecting eateries for hygiene compliance.
Several non-compliant restaurants were not only shut down but had their names and violations made public, signaling a new era of accountability.
The public response was immediate and overwhelmingly positive. For the first time in a long while, residents felt the pulse of an active and responsive city administration.
Praise poured in for the city council under Motlaleng’s stewardship, with many lauding the swift and visible transformation of Gaborone’s streets.
Despite these early victories, the Gaborone Mayor faces significant challenges, the most pressing being financial constraints. The GCC currently operates with a deficit of P45 million, an enormous burden by any measure.
Yet, true to his problem-solving spirit, Motlaleng has not allowed this to stall progress.
He recently revealed that the council is undertaking aggressive revenue recovery efforts, targeting funds owed by residents and businesses in the form of service levies and other outstanding payments. Additionally, the city is exploring new revenue streams, including the rental of council-owned parking spaces and the commercialisation of other council facilities.
While these measures offer a glimmer of hope, Motlaleng is fully aware of the scale of the task ahead.
“Our biggest headache,” he admitted, “is fixing our road infrastructure and lighting.”
Many of Gaborone’s roads have exceeded their intended lifespan and are now riddled with potholes, making daily commutes a nightmare.
In some parts of the city, dysfunctional or non-existent street lights have created pockets of darkness, fertile ground for crime and accidents.
Motlaleng is determined to tackle these issues head-on. His leadership style is straightforward: get the job done without political interference.
He has repeatedly emphasised that council employees must focus on their duties without fear of political pressure.
'I told them, just do your work. I don’t want politics involved in service delivery,' he said firmly.
That stance has already begun to pay dividends. According to Motlaleng, cooperation between him and the council’s workforce is at an all-time high.
“Reports are being submitted on time, progress is being tracked meticulously, and there is a palpable sense of ownership amongst employees. “We are working together, and that’s why we’re already seeing results,” he said.
Nevertheless, the Mayor is not resting on his laurels. While he acknowledges the strides made, he insists that there’s still much more to achieve.
'This is just the beginning,' he said. 'We have laid the foundation. Now we need to build something lasting, something the people of Gaborone can be proud of.'