Jamataka residents benefit from poverty eradication programme
Pini Bothoko | Thursday August 6, 2015 12:49
A poverty eradication project workshop was held in February last year and only two beneficiaries from Jamataka village, whose projects were showcased at the time, were immediately offered their projects. The rest of the beneficiaries were forced to wait patiently to receive their promised packages.
Tutume Sub-District Council’s poverty eradication coordinator, Barulaganye Mosetlha said allocation of packages has commenced.
“The process of allocating projects occasioned the delay because at first we had to mobilise the beneficiaries, and then carry out project assessments, allocate the business and conduct training sessions before we finally allocate individuals,” she said.
The coordinator said government could not risk issuing projects to beneficiaries without offering them proper training because it is important for them to be well-equipped with knowledge that would impact on their businesses. Mosetlha also said the initiative is meant to empower citizens and elevate them out of poverty and could only achieve that if they were well trained and informed on their businesses.
“We just concluded training of some beneficiaries and since June we have been addressing the backlog of all of our packages and plead with the beneficiaries to be patient with us,” she said. Mosetlha said 31 people have chosen new packages for the services and are currently undergoing training. She stated that the 2014 Newcastle disease outbreak in the district also delayed allocation of chickens to the beneficiaries.
Mosetlha said the backlog of projects is high as many people are applying for the programme in large numbers. One of the intended catering project beneficiaries, Gosegomang Mombadi who has not received a package for her catering project, said allocation of packages is slow and delays their business plans.
“I went for a two week training workshop and towards the end of last year they gave me a fridge, generator and a stove, but have not given me kitchen bowls and start up groceries as promised,” she said.
Mombadi said she used the pocket money raised from working in Ipelegeng to buy stock for the business that she is operating from the roadside in the village.
“I have started my business despite not being supplied with all the catering equipment. I currently sell fat cakes, fresh chips and stew by the road side in Jamataka and and I am able to make enough profit to buy groceries for my children,” she said.
A beneficiary of a small stock project, Mapula Diphatsa, was excited to have finally received her promised goats. She promised to give her all into making her goat-rearing project a resounding success.
The village chief, Kgosi Mosalagae Galebonwe applauded government for finally allocating the long promised projects to the village beneficiaries. He said since the majority of the residents are unemployed and live in abject poverty, such initiatives are important for improving their economic status and keeping them busy.
“Since last week the majority of the beneficiaries have been given their projects especially those of small stock and we hope that since they are the ones who have requested for the packages and not being forced, they will use the projects to empower themselves,” he said.