Reality bites in first electrified village

Bright sparks: Electricity has brought new businesses to Gakuto
Bright sparks: Electricity has brought new businesses to Gakuto

On a clear, crisp morning eight years ago, nearly all residents of Gakuto turned out to witness a miracle many had thought would not occur in their lifetimes. It was the electrification of their tiny village. Today, Mmegi Correspondent, NNASARETHA KGAMANYANE reports that the dark ages intermittently return to Gakuto courtesy of the loadshedding programme consumers elsewhere are accustomed to

The first born of government’s successful 100 Villages Electrification Project, and residents of Gakuto have always been justifiably proud of their village. Ironically, Gakuto lies in the shadow of Gaborone bright lights, in Kweneng District.

Today, the village looks very different from the small agrarian settlement it appeared to be eight years ago when the delegates in shiny suits and the ‘white men’ from Sweden gathered to officially launch the 100 Villages project.

Editor's Comment
Human rights are sacred

It highlights the need to protect rights such as access to clean water, education, healthcare and freedom of expression.President Duma Boko, rightly honours past interventions from securing a dignified burial for Gaoberekwe Pitseng in the CKGR to promoting linguistic inclusion. Yet, they also expose a critical truth, that a nation cannot sustainably protect its people through ad hoc acts of compassion alone.It is time for both government and the...

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