Kanye projects unveiled
Lekopanye Mooketsi | Monday June 2, 2014 17:53
The word ‘tomela’ means consolidation of community’s development views and thoughts. Records at the Southern District show that the idea of having Tomela was introduced by the late Kgosi Bathoen II before independence. This was after realising that the Kgotla system was not as organised as required to take the views and thoughts of morafe on developments. Kgosi Bathone II viewed Tomela as a tool to unite Bangwaketse.
He thought it was a more useful and organised institution for development, than the Kgotla. The old Tomela chamber was built in 1964 and was officially opened by then Resident Commissioner, Peter Fawcus. Kgosi Bathoen II became the chairperson of the council and continued in that position after independence in 1966.
When the Southern District Council decided to celebrate the people’s day and to unveil development projects, Tomela was seen as the appropriate venue. The celebrations that were attended by tribal leaders from neighbouring districts, were held on Friday.
The facilities that were unveiled included new Tomela council chamber, Ketlogetswe Memorial Primary School, Kanye internal roads, streets and traffic lights, council staff houses and 32 classroom blocks.
Outlining the objectives of the event, the Southern District Council Secretary, Mompati Seleke said the occasion was meant to interact and exchange ideas with members of the community. “We wanted to show the community what the council is doing and some of our achievements,” he said. The council secretary said they also wanted to show members of public various services that are offered by government departments, parastatals and even the private sector. He added that they gathered to celebrate the council’s achievements.
Officiating at the event, the chairman of the Southern District Council, Leach Tlhomelang said they are celebrating developments in the area in the last 10 years.
“This is the time to marvel at the achievements made in provision of infrastructure for social and economic development that have redefined our village’s landscape and enhanced service provision,” he said. Tlhomelang said the council takes its mandate seriously as they are aware that their work is at the grassroots level of human development. He said the council sees itself as a key economic development stakeholder that provides an enabling environment for investments throughout the district.
Tlhomelang stated that the new Tomela Council Chamber was built in 2005 at a cost of 15 million. He described the chamber as a place where the Southern District Council sits and deliberates on issues of development.
He said the Ketlogetse Memorial School was completed in 2010 at a cost of P51 million to help absorb rising numbers of learners in the area. He said Ketlogetse is the only primary school in the district that provides the requisite infrastructure and facilities that meet standards set in the Revised Education Policy. He said the Kanye internal roads project comprised of construction of 29km of tarred roads and paved parking areas. It was completed in 2010 at a cost of P137 million. The council chairman said the internal roads provide the village with better access and improved livelihoods. He said the council is focused on providing sustainable transportation infrastructure to help ensure the growth of the economy.
Tlhomelang told the gathering that streets lights were installed in Kanye, Moshupa, Goodhope and Mabutsane. The Kanye traffic lights were constructed last year at a cost of more than P1 million. The council has built 171 staff houses in the district.
During the celebrations, beneficiaries of the poverty eradication programme gave testimony how their lives have improved from the initiative.