Re-elected BALA boss preaches innovation
Lindiwe Mozola | Tuesday January 27, 2015 15:27
Addressing BALA members after he beat Gaborone City councillor, MacDonald Peloetetse, to defend his seat last week, Moruakgomo said that local authorities should be risk takers with innovative minds that can work on attracting local and international investors.
Moruakgomo’s remarks come as several local authorities, including Gaborone and Francistown, set up dedicated investment marketing teams in 2014, targeted at developing a range of initiatives to boost capital flows to their respective jurisdictions.
“It is a new time and age; let’s start talking more about solutions and less about lamenting on problems since talking about problems has never taken anyone anywhere,” he said.
“BALA has passed through many trials and tribulations and all local authorities should work together to better the association.
“We should become true leaders who strive to better the lives of the general public at the local level where many things need to be done.”
“We must be leaders who provide vision and are selfless because the nation belongs to us and we are there to serve regardless of what political group we belong to.”
Francistown South legislator, Wynter Mmolotsi urged local authorities to forge the way forward and ensure that they perform to fulfil their mandates.
“Moruakgomo and his delegates have a mammoth task and a serious challenge to take this organisation to the next level and this can only be achieved if you work together,” he said.
He further encouraged local authorities to lobby MPs on issues affecting them, saying their efforts would be still-born without the effort.
“As local authorities you should make it a habit to engage your MPs on your issues,” he said.
“It’s time for local authorities to become more important and recognisable.
“When the Umbrella for Democratic Change takes over in 2019, we will not have a Local Government minister.
“Rather we will have MPs running the office in order to have doors opened for local authorities.”
At the electoral gathering, Francistown Mayor, Sylvia Muzila was elected BALA vice president succeeding Caroline Lesang while Leonard Mojuta and James Kgalajwe joined the board as treasurer and project officer respectively.