Calls grow to include deferred projects in Selebi-Phikwe
maikgantsho ramontsho | Monday April 6, 2026 06:00
Amongst these are the construction of Mekoro Clinic, Mekoro Primary School, and the long-anticipated upgrading of Botshabelo Clinic to a level one hospital.
According to Basebi, these projects were not arbitrarily selected but emerged from extensive consultations with residents during kgotla meetings—forums that form the backbone of Botswana’s grassroots democratic engagement.
He argued that disregarding such community-driven priorities in subsequent plans defeats the purpose of inclusive governance.
“In developing the UDP, residents are consulted at kgotla meetings to propose the developments they want. This bottom-up approach ensures that plans reflect the needs and aspirations of the community,” Basebi said.
“Therefore, if certain projects are not implemented for any reason, they must be included in the next plan. We serve at the pleasure of our electorate.”
The councillor stressed that the upgrading of Botshabelo Clinic is particularly urgent, noting that it would significantly reduce congestion at the town’s main hospital. By elevating the clinic to a Level One facility, essential services such as diagnostic scanning and minor procedures could be decentralised, improving access to healthcare and reducing patient waiting times.
Botshabelo Clinic serves not only residents of Selebi-Phikwe but also communities from surrounding villages including Tobane, Sefhophe and Tshokwe.
Therefore, Basebi warned that failure to upgrade the facility places undue strain on both patients and healthcare workers, while exacerbating inequalities in access to medical services.
Beyond healthcare, he highlighted persistent infrastructure deficiencies, particularly the town’s stormwater drainage system.
Basebi described a troubling situation in which runoff water frequently spills into residential yards during the rainy season, creating unsanitary conditions and heightening the risk of waterborne diseases.
He noted that a comprehensive stormwater drainage master plan had already been developed but remains unimplemented due to budgetary limitations.
“Although I understand that it was not implemented due to lack of funds, it should now be prioritised and incorporated into UDP 5,” the councillor said.
Basebi further proposed that all unimplemented projects from UDP 4 be tabled during the mid-term review process, allowing residents to reassess and reaffirm their priorities.
He maintained that development planning should not be static but responsive to evolving community needs, while still respecting previously agreed commitments.
Importantly, he called for better alignment between development plans and political terms of office, arguing that this would enhance accountability among elected officials and ensure that campaign promises translate into tangible outcomes.
Responding to the councillor’s concerns, Selibe-Phikwe Town Council (SPTC) Mayor, Oageng Makgosa, acknowledged the validity of the issues raised and pledged to engage residents directly in addressing the gaps left by UDP 4.
Makgosa revealed that while the official mid-term review of UDP 5 is scheduled for 2027, the council would not wait that long to act.
Instead, he plans to convene a series of consultations with residents in July to gather input on how best to proceed with the stalled developments.
“The mid-term review will come in 2027, which is quite far,” he said. “That is why I will meet with residents in July so that they can suggest what should be done with developments that were supposed to be implemented in UDP 4 but were not achieved due to lack of funds.”
The Mayor also shed light on broader service delivery challenges affecting the town, particularly in the education sector. He pointed out that government policy stipulates that a school should be located within every kilometre of residential areas.
However, children from Mekoro are currently forced to travel distances exceeding this guideline to access education.
“This situation is not ideal, especially for young learners. It underscores the need to prioritise the construction of Mekoro Primary School in the next development cycle,” Makgosa noted.
He further attributed some of the shortcomings in UDP implementation to poor prioritisation of projects.
As an example, he cited the construction of the Phase 4 satellite police station, which he suggested may not have addressed the most pressing needs of the community.
“Some developments, such as the Phase 4 satellite police, addressed issues like petty crimes, including phone theft, which could have been managed by existing police infrastructure. “Meanwhile, more critical needs such as healthcare, education, and sanitation were left unattended,” he said.
Makgosa also raised serious concerns about the town’s ageing sewage system, which is over 50 years old and increasingly unable to cope with current demand.
He warned that frequent sewage spillages not only inconvenience residents but also pose significant public health risks.
“The sewage disposal network is outdated and requires urgent upgrading. The current situation, where wastewater spills into residential areas, is unacceptable and must be addressed as a matter of priority,” he stressed.
Financial constraints remain at the heart of many of these challenges. The mayor disclosed that the council had been allocated approximately P247 million, which falls short of its actual requirements by about P50 million.
This funding gap has forced the council to make difficult decisions regarding which projects to prioritise.
In addition to budget shortfalls, Makgosa highlighted the issue of unpaid rates, revealing that residents owe the council around P22 million.
He described this as a significant obstacle to service delivery, particularly for a small town like Selibe-Phikwe.
“We encourage residents to pay their rates so that the council can have the necessary resources to implement development projects. This level of debt is not sustainable and directly affects our ability to deliver services,” he said.
Despite these challenges, both Basebi and Makgosa expressed optimism that improved planning, stronger community engagement, and better financial management could help bridge the gap between policy and implementation.