Welfare beneficiaries decry lack of support
Lebogang Baingapi | Tuesday May 31, 2016 15:17
In the ongoing tour of Jwaneng/Mabutsane constituency, the Presidential Inspectorate Task team led by Johnnie Swartz was made aware of challenges beneficiaries face in hopes to escape abject poverty.
One of the Youth Development Fund (YDF) beneficiaries, who was funded to start an agric shop in Jwaneng, Nshaluli Mmelesi, said the government through its different programmes does not buy from her.
She said that she made efforts to paste her prices in LIMID and youth offices as a marketing strategy, but nothing has materialised yet.
Mmelesi also mentioned that she has quoted for government tenders and was hoping to be assisted to penetrate the market like other major dealers, but so far she is not happy with the lack of results.
“You should teach us how to tender, quote and assist us to win tenders in government departments. Otherwise, government funds are wasted in vain,” she said.
Mary Olebile, who was assisted through the poverty eradication programme was also of the view that there is no support from the government after funding.
Olebile runs a cleaning company. She said she could not secure a trading licence due to lack of operating space.
She said it was taking time for the youth office to replace her vacuum cleaner, which she has long reported did not come in a good condition. Olebile also shared the same sentiments as Mmelesi saying that beneficiaries of government initiatives should be given first priority in tendering.
Another YDF beneficiary, Bashinge Nkgare who is in the catering business is also not happy with the support he gets from Jwaneng town leadership.
“How do you expect us to compete with hotels and big shops in town? You should at least give us small tenders that will boost our businesses financially,” said Nkgare.
His other concern is that government departments in Jwaneng are not adhering to the local purchasing scheme, which carries a three percent discount in price preference for youth, women and people living with disability to be entrepreneurs. Backyard gardens beneficiaries also complained of lack of market and high water bills, which Swartz admitted would require for the programme to be reviewed and absolute steps be taken to assist those who have suffered the outcome.
Deputy town clerk, Masiela Mandoze clarified that indeed 30% of the tenders are reserved for youth businesses and a communique was sent to different departments to make them aware of the price preferences. He urged the beneficiaries to visit the office of the District Commissioner to give feedback and seek clarity on issues of concern.