Olopeng promises to nurture BaZezuru handicraft talent
Pini Bothoko | Wednesday July 30, 2014 11:12
Olopeng declared during a BDP rally held at Semotswane village over the weekend that he was going to ensure that the gifted BaZezuru reap maximum reward for their talent.
He said that he learnt that almost all of the BaZezuru in Mandunyane, Semotswane, Shashe and Tonota are a gifted lot in the manufacture of low-cost furniture, artifacts, and other paraphernalia and has every intention of ensuring he help them nurture their talent.
“This area is populated by the BaZezuru tribe who are steadfast in doing handiwork for their survival. I know that these people design attractive articles that can boost the economy of our village.
“My intention is to construct a big workshop in which they will mentor other citizens on how to design those things for serious commercial purpose, “ he said.
He said that opening such workshops would help boost the economy of the country, as the majority of citizens will not only be employed, but also benefit from learning the craft from BaZezuru.
“I do not want to see their talent limited to their homesteads where they currently design their works from. I want to see Tonota having a big workshop with everything that is needed in homesteads designed by us here.
“I want to see the BaZezuru blocking the import of those handicrafts from other countries, “ he said.
He said that such talent is not supposed to be ignored as it can benefit the economy and he will make sure that he assists where possible to come up with a workshop that they will explore their talent from. “Since you voted for me (in the primary elections), I have been doing research about this area, the people and things that we have in our village that we can do to benefit and empower villagers.
“I am a businessman, hence I cannot wait for the government to do everything for us because there is no money as the country is still recovering from the recession, “ said Olopeng.
Olopeng went on to say that infrastructural development of their area was long overdue and it needed to be reviewed to suit today’s standard. He said that he foresaw Tonota having malls, banks, hotels, and factories with the villagers benefiting from them.
He said they can succeed when led by someone who is hands-on and pragmatic, and with an eye for business.
He said that there is a railway line traversing Tonota, which has to benefit villagers, but currently it was not doing so as there was no train stop like before.
He said that he has enquired as to when the public train will start working and was informed that in the near future. He added that when that time came, he wanted the constituents to maximize their benefits from the station.
“I wish to see this station benefiting you. You can open your small businesses there, sell your products to people and tourists who will be travelling on the train and ultimately empower yourselves, “ said Olopeng.
He said that Foley village is rich with letsopa (a special clay soil) that can be used to benefit the village as it can be harvested and sold to benefit the village. He went on to promise that he will make sure that a factory merchandising that letsopa is opened in the village too.
Olopeng also said that he has established that there is a need for a hospital in a constituency as vast as Tonota and that such a health facility will properly cater for the large population which currently depends on far-away Francistown. He went on to promise the people of Semotswane and Mandunyane that he will work hard to bring a junior secondary school to their area as their children walk a long distance to Tonota Junior Secondary School.