Tlokweng Council chases revenue, offers land
Tsaone Basimanebotlhe | Wednesday December 17, 2025 06:00
Addressing the media last Friday at the council chambers, Bogatsu explained that the council currently generates income mainly from waste collection services. She revealed that TDC is facing a P4 million deficit, which it is working to clear.
Bogatsu emphasised the importance of open spaces such as parks, greenbelts, recreational areas, and environmental buffers in promoting community well-being, environmental sustainability, and proper urban planning.
“Over the years, some of these spaces had been temporarily used by the council for operational and administrative purposes,” she said.
She explained that amongst the 119 open spaces currently occupied by the council, their uses have included temporary storage of materials, satellite service delivery units, waste management depots, and emergency response operations. She stressed that all such occupations are temporary and are subject to routine assessments to ensure compliance with environmental and planning regulations.
Bogatsu further stated that environmental impact screenings are ongoing at each occupied site to assess their condition and inform future decisions. She also announced that a public participation process will begin in January 2026, allowing residents to provide input and raise concerns regarding the use and allocation of open spaces.
She noted that the utilisation of open spaces could also help curb crime by creating employment opportunities for Batswana.
“Those open spaces can create more than 1,000 jobs if fully utilised. The new Batlokwa mall, whose lease is 25 years, currently pays the council P20,000 a month,” she revealed.
Looking ahead, Bogatsu said the council will continue leasing open spaces to the public through an Expression of Interest process. She disclosed that eight open spaces have already been successfully leased, whilst the remaining ones will be re-advertised. Furthermore, she said that council operations located in environmentally sensitive areas will be relocated, and degraded sites will be rehabilitated and restored.
In addition, the council is developing a long-term Open Space Management Plan aimed at improving land use, strengthening compliance, and preventing the misuse of public land. Bogatsu also indicated that the council welcomes Public-Private Partnerships, guided by established procurement procedures.