Reality bites in first electrified village
Friday, April 10, 2015
Bright sparks: Electricity has brought new businesses to Gakuto
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.
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...