Informal sector indicate indifference to budget speech
Lindiwe Mozola | Friday January 30, 2015 16:24
In a snap survey, informal traders indicated that they did not understand how the state anticipates future incomes as well as spending for the benefit of the country.
Shatisani Thapelo, a street vendor in Francistown told Mmegi that she has no interest in the budget speech and believes it only concerns the formal sector.
“I feel that that the budget of this country applies only to those who are educated or government employees not us the uneducated small entrepreneurs,” she said.
She however hastened to add that although she wasn’t averse with the budget, she hoped that government would increase employees’ salaries, as it would give them purchasing power which would in turn boost entrepreneurs’ sales.
Mokubilo Kebapetse a hairstylist bemoaned that since the informal sector was never taken into consideration, they saw no need to listen to the budget speech. She praised government for the poverty eradication projects, which had benefited many Batswana. “I am one of the many people who has benefited from the poverty eradication schemes I can therefore only wish that more money is enacted on citizen empowerment programme and human development,” she said. Although they admitted to having little knowledge on the fiscal budget, some of them said they had expectations. Oabona Mawila requested that intensive supervision and monitoring be carried out whenever the money was distributed to various departments because resources never reach some Batswana, especially those in the informal sector.
“That is why we are very ignorant of the state budget. Its not like we do not want to know how the money is used in our country. It just that year in, year out we never see the result of the money that was distributed by the state. “There are many poor infrastructures around the country. Added to that many schools are in a deplorable state, yet millions are dedicated for the betterment of their education. Standard of education has also declined,” he said.
Mawila noted that he hoped that more funds be allocated to the Ministry of Health and Ministry of Defence and Security. “Some of our youth have volunteered to fight crime in our country. The community cannot help them without funds. I want the state to include them in the chain distribution of funds. It’s important to enhance resources they use to fight crime,” he explained.
Lyenor Nkosi, coordinator of youth performing arts group Bopaganang Basha said the budget should give preference to youth. He noted that young people are faced with several challenges, which include unemployment and lack of resources to develop their talents. He said although government should channel capital towards youth-run businesses, they should also monitor these establishments.