Ridding the nation of Hunger ... Poverty Eradication - Leaving no Citizen Behind
Source : Kutlwano
Author : Keonee Kealeboga
Location : Diphuduhudu
Event : Social
From a distance the makeshift tent city more or less resembled a refugee camp. One needed to actually enter the camp to realise that life inside was much glossier than what characterises an actual refugee camp. In the grand scheme of things, as one observed, the tents had been clustered according to districts that make up Botswana, apparently so that people could locate their own abode with minimum trouble.
In the little known village, or is it a settlement, of Diphuduhudu, in the Kweneng District, a striking makeover was taking place - not through the springing up of tents alone, rather, a host of other activities were taking place too. The sheer number of vehicles, in all makes and sizes, was itself something out of this world for the residents, as they apparently had never seen so many vehicles in their remote village. More than anything else, an event with a major socio-economic significance was taking place - launching of government’s poverty eradication crusade via an apparently well organised workshop in the otherwise unspoilt settlement. Themed ‘Poverty eradication-Leaving no Citizen Behind,” the recent marathon poverty eradication workshop was surely a massive spectacle, that is, both literally and symbolically. In the literal sense, the “infrastructure” that had sprung up overnight in the form of the tent city designed to accommodate the over 1000 people who had descended on the village for week-long activities was massive, to say the least. Further, the occasion was symbolic in that it lay a firm foundation for the massive task ahead - ridding the nation of any form of poverty. From the onset, it was mostly civil servants who settled in the new tent camp, obviously because of their brief to handle the necessary pre-workshop tasks aimed at facilitating the poverty eradication drive. It was on the second day that people really began to arrive in their droves, rapidly swelling the population of the tent city, although previously the camp had been only sparsely populated. Guided by labels strategically assigned to each abode, each arriving troop made its way easily into the camp, to get ready for the next monring's proceedings. In the evening, when the majority of workshop participants had arrived from all over Botswana, people trooped to the Village Development Committee compound for dinner, where a makeshift kitchen had also been erected.
It was at this point that some cracks began to show in the feeding arrangement. As if reacting in anticipation, some people, including civil servants, started queuing up for food as early as an hour before feeding time. However, as it turned out, some still had to go back to their respective tents dejected despite their early start strategy. Apparently there was not enough food for everybody. The scenario would only repeat itself the next morning, with the queue winding endlessly, resulting in those at the back nursing only slim hopes of getting a share. Nevertheless, the workshop got underway. Participants, who came from 67 settlements identified as the most deserving, seemed enthusiastic to make the most of the event. Taking to the podium to welcome the workshop participants, the village kgosi, Shaluka Dipina, applauded government for showing concern about poverty. Assuring the audience that, as residents of Diphuduhudu, they were committed to ridding themselves of the evil that was poverty, Kgosi Dipina said government’s strategy for all to join forces in the fight against poverty was a noble cause. Commendations aside, the traditional leader had some concerns to air.
First, he lamented the fact that the village kgotla was without a vehicle, something which he said impeded the carrying out of tribal duties. He also decried the absence of an agricultural demonstrator in the village, saying it was likely to impact negatively on beneficiaries of the backyard gardening programme. The kgosi also appealed for funds for the development of the village’s cultural centre, which he strongly believed would go far in promoting Diphuduhudu’s eco-tourism. Outlining the objective of the event, Minister for Presidential Affairs and Public Administration, Mokgweetsi Masisi, said the main objective was to show political commitment and leadership in the war against poverty. Masisi said bringing to the event deserving people from all over Botswana was to ensure that every eligible Motswana benefitted. Further, he observed that the workshop would also serve as a platform for instilling mindset change that poverty can be beaten.
For his part, President Lt. Gen. Seretse Khama Ian Khama, echoed government’s resolve to root out poverty from every nook and cranny of Botswana. “The theme is apt and consistent with our steadfast resolve as government to eradicate poverty in our country. It is only through eradication of poverty that we can develop sustainability as a nation and look forward to a prosperous future for all,” he said. Acknowledging that the way to a poverty-free nation would be strewn with several challenges, he noted, however, that facing the evil head-on was the only way to ensure dignity and equality for all. “We have no illusion about the enormous challenge we face owing to the fact that Central Statistics Office’s recent data shows that 20.7 per cent of Batswana are living below the poverty datum line,” he said, adding that, of the number, 7.5 per cent were living in abject poverty. Most disturbing, said the president, was the fact that remote area communities were hardest hit by poverty. Lt. Gen. Khama informed the gathering that P155 million had been set aside for the purpose of rolling out the poverty eradication programme during the current financial year. He said at least 13 000 participants were expected to benefit.
Further, he pointed out that government was committed to creating markets for the produce from the beneficiaries of the poverty eradication programme, saying that he had since urged that permanent markets be set up in each district. “In addition, cabinet has directed that normal procurement regulations by central government and local authorities should be waived for micro scale producers. Therefore, procuring entities must implement the cabinet directive,” he stated. President Khama emphasised the need for the projects to be sustainable, observing that it was only then that beneficiaries could step out of poverty through income generated from their businesses. He pointed out that beneficiaries would, through prudent management and life skills training, be guided to upgrade their businesses from micro scale enterprises by seeking loans from institutions such as Citizen Entrepreneurial Development Agency, National Development Bank as well as commercial banks. Imploring all to play a role in the fight against poverty, Lt. Gen. Khama highlighted the fact that progress in the endeavour was already visible, and that the dream to reach a state of a sustainable and prosperous nation where no citizen was left behind was slowly becoming reality.
The first day of the workshop ended with group presentations. Participants aspiring to undertake a particular project were brought together as a group and workshopped on their choice of project. The following day, group discussions continued, after which the poverty eradication committee led by Minister Masisi made brief presentations on the roles of their respective ministries. Minister Masisi started by profusely apologising to the participants for the poor feeding arrangement that they had had to endure since their arrival, assuring them that the situation would change forthwith. Back to business, he said it was government’s belief that every Motswana had the right to become rich and that in realising such an ideal whoever was being assisted must stand up and play an active role. Assistant Minister of Trade and Industry, Vincent Seretse, said government was concerned about the state of cooperatives in the country, which he said if working properly they could help diversify the nation’s economy. Among others, he encouraged small-scale business people to group themselves and utilise buildings of the defunct cooperatives movement currently lying idle.
Education and skills development assistant minister, Keletso Rakhudu, said poverty could have a bearing on whether children continued with their education or forced to drop out of school. He said his ministry was doing all it could to ensure that no child lost out on the opportunity to fully benefit from the country’s education system. For her part, Assistant Minister of Local Government, Botlogile Tshireletso, encouraged civil servants to be patient when assisting beneficiaries. During lunch, it was evident that Minister Masisi’s assurance that food was galore was indeed true. “Bathong, dijo ke tse di gana go hela tse! O ne a bolelela ruri mministara a re re tla ja re bo re latlhe. Banna, re kile ra rata go gailwa ke tlala!” one man at the Ghanzi camp remarked through a mouthful. Closing the event on its third and last day, Vice President Lt. Gen. Mompati Merafhe said poverty eradication called for everybody’s input. Addressing the participants, he said having been equipped with life skills, they were now in a better position to contribute immensely to the national economy. “This initiative will lead to the transformation of the communities from being poverty-stricken to being sustainable economies. These remote areas are in a position to turn into enterprises as their representatives have now discovered new ways to wealth creation,” he said. The Vice President noted that all poverty eradication packages were premised on the belief that every able-bodied person should step out of poverty towards a lack-free life. As soon as the Lt. Gen Merafhe had concluded his closing remarks, one at a time, vehicles filed out of the village to various destinations. ENDS
Teaser:
"We have no illusion about the ernomous challenge we face owing to the fact that Central Statistics Office's recent data shows that 20.7 percent of Batswana are living below the poverty datum line"
