Ranyane residents want recognition

Mpho Mokwape | Friday September 14, 2018 13:44

Ranyane, which is located about 300km from Gantsi township and falls under the Ghanzi District Council, has not been recognised as a settlement due to low population.

However in a letter dated August 8, 2018 addressed to the permanent secretary of the ministry, the residents claimed the settlement has existed for more than five decades and that the 2011 population census results are not a true reflection of the numbers.

In the letter deposed by their attorney from Kambai Attorneys, the residents say as citizens, of the country they desire also to enjoy the services and developments like all recognised settlements and villages as the population allows.

“The figure of the 2011 census is not a true reflection of the population of Ranyane as most residents were not present at the time the census was conducted,” read the letter.

The residents who allege that their parents have been residents at Ranyane for more than five decades, explained that the majority was not included in the census, as they had gone to other villages, settlements in search for employment.

In the letter, the residents said the number of 182 people that are said to reside at Ranyane as per the census, is not true as the population is over 500 and that those that were not included during the census still regard it as their permanent home village.

“Our investigation and instructions reveal that Ranyane has a population of over 500 residents.

As such that exceeds the threshold of 250 as stated in the National Settlement Policy as revised in 2004,” read the letter.

The move by the residents to be recognised as a formal settlement is for the restoration and availing of services that the residents’ cry they have been cut out, as they are told the area is not gazetted.

According to the residents’ plea in the letter, service providers like water utilities are refusing to assist them and that even the Ghanzi District Council has also informed them they are not obliged to provide services like medical care, and other programmes such as Ipelegeng.

They explained that they used to benefit from such programmes until they were terminated around 2012 and that efforts to get them restored have always been met by the explanation that all service providers are not obliged as the area is not a recognised settlement.“It therefore becomes apparent that it is important for Ranyane to be recognised as a matter of high priority.

“Formal recognition will ensure that the residents have at least basic services including a functional health post. Currently the house that was to be used as a health post has become dilapidated due to non-use,” explained the residents.

The residents are not happy that the place has a Kgotla with ablution facilities, a headman of records who is on government payroll and a cemetery, a voting centre, but cannot be recognised as a settlement.

According to them it is mind-boggling that an area that has always had a polling station is not recognised as a settlement, and that the very same government that created a polling station are refusing to address meetings for the same reason that Ranyane is not recognised.The residents through their attorney, are seeking a positive feedback and are willing to engage to find an amicable solution to the matter Further they seek reasons should the minister’s office refuse or reject the request for formal recognition.