VDCs' volunteerism spirit hailed
Correspondent | Friday November 23, 2018 12:49
Speaking during the fourth annual awards gala dinner of the Central District Council (CDC) VDCs at the Majestic Five Hotel in Palapye, where his company was also the main event sponsor, the Palapye entrepreneur hailed volunteerism spirit and said it should be amongst communities as it is the key to community sustainability.
Siraj also added that VDCs must not be taken lightly as they have been empowered by the Local Government Act to develop annual strategic plans for their communities.
Furthermore they provide a forum of contact between and among community representatives , local leaders, politicians, districts community based organisations and non-governmental organisations to enhance the flow of development information as well as coordinating national activities in collaboration with respective departments in their areas, noted Siraj, whose business include wholesale as well as distribution of non-food items throughout the country.
Siraj encouraged the community to uplift the VDCs to ensure that they implement what they had planned for annually instead of bullying them.
He said the core businesses of the committees are to drive community based planning in their respective villages and enhance grass roots approach in an effort to resuscitate sustainability of the development saying for the VDCs to achieve their goals they require support.
“The society must acknowledge the fact that the VDCs are the backbone of the economy and vision 2036 hence must be supported so that they also do not feel discouraged,” he said.
Siraj called on those in the committees not to undermine themselves just because they do not get paid, saying that their great payment will be from the Lord.
He also urged them to make it a habit to always consult the community in all their plans, challenges, and achievements and also give feedback to them as a way of appreciating those who have voted them into power.
CDC chief social and community development officer, Lerothodi Baruti said without VDCs committees there would be not much developments in the country.
During the ceremony, the best VDCs were awarded, something which Baruti said was a way of motivating them through active participation in sustainable development as well as instilling and encouraging volunteerism amongst them.
He said VDCs were established on the realisation that government could not manage alone and needed mechanism to monitor the committees and evaluate their activities for enhancement of best practice.
In a bid to show appreciation to the committees, World Bazaar contributed 40 medals and ten large certificate frames that were donated to the best VDCs, best school hostels in the CDC and top achievers in the Botswana General Certificate in Secondary Education from the rural areas.
The best VDC award was scooped by Boikago Ward which is in Palapye and they were awarded P7,000, a certificate, trophy and medals, while Xhumu came second and walked away P5,000 with a certificate, and medals. Thabala VDC came third and won P3,000 and a certificate.
In the best hostel category went to Otse, followed by Mosu and Mokubilo.
Olorato Nkhumisang from Dimajwe scooped position one in the top achievers with 46 points followed by Resego Bailang from Gojwane and Carnelle Maposa from Maposa both got 44 points.