Councillors agree on 'lefufa' eradication summit

ONALENNA MODIKWA
Staff Writer | Thursday August 30, 2012 00:00

Councillors described lefufa as a monster that has destroyed many people who could take this country to the next level.

Debating his motion on Friday, Councillor Lekang Mukokomani said the summit, which will be held in conjunction with central government will involve all stakeholders from religious bodies, non governmental organisations to the private sector, among others.

'Even Setswana proverbs confirm the magnitude of lefufa among Batswana. Many intelligent people could be holding positions of authority by now but have been pulled down by people with jealous intentions who cannot withstand competition,' he added.

He stressed that people do not want to value the input of others, adding that this defeats the aspirations of Vision 2016. 'In Botswana dreamers are cleared out of the way.

It applies even in Parliament where we see good legislators being denied the platform to express themselves.This has destroyed this nation. We really have to eliminate this monster,' he said. Mukokomani argued that the summit will accord stakeholders an opportunity to dig deeper into the causes of lefufa.

In support of the motion, Councillor Tebogo Matlhogonolo said although the concept may appear light, it has serious repercussions and he is optimistic that government will look into the issue in a positive light. 'It is basically a pull-him-down syndrome that has found root among Batswana. Many people with potential to take the country somewhere end up thrown out of line,' he added.

Councillor Leungo Mathaio observed that the trend is common among the new generation. He said lefufa was rare in the past as the family fabric was tight and extended families lived together in peace.

'Zimbabweans never reject one of their own but with Batswana when one progresses jealousy creeps in, especially among the female folk who dominate the population of this country,' she said. Meanwhile, councillors also approved a motion to ask and recommend to central government, through the Office of the President, to set up a poverty eradication fund by levying every employed and self-employed inhabitant of Botswana a certain amount of money monthly to sustain the poverty alleviation campaign.

Debating his motion, Mukokomani argued that government initiatives would not be sustainable in the future.He cited that Selebi-Phikwe was allocated close to P1 million for poverty alleviation and many people benefited. 'But it does not end there because more Batswana need similar assistance even in unfavourable economic times.

We all need to contribute towards eradicating poverty.  There are already fears that government may consider stopping giving ARVs for free, and the poverty eradication budget will not be sustainable forever,' he said. He added that unlike other budget allocations, the poverty eradication fund will not be affected by the economic recession.

'As much as workers receive salaries, they should contribute so that other Batswana can be assisted out of poverty not the current scenario where the employed and investors only benefit without thinking of the marginalised,' he said. The motion was given the greenlight because of its potential to sustain the poverty eradication drive.