One of the greatest attributes that sets a leader apart has to be their loyalty to their constituents. To whom, or to what, is a leader loyal? Do their personal convictions come first? To Tswapong Region’s Kgosi Galeakanye Modise the latter may be the case.
While other members of Ntlo ya Dikgosi (House of Chiefs) from various constituencies across the country are concerned about the welfare of communities they represent in their respective regions and villages the Tswapong chief was more concerned about his own immediate needs at Gaborone West Phase 2 where he apparently resides.
Given the opportunity to ask questions at the beginning of the recent sitting of Ntlo ya Dikgosi, Modise’s only concern to the relevant minister was with the state of roads in his side of the City of Gaborone.
He asked the minister of Local Government and Rural Development if she was aware that there are some roads at Gaborone West Phase 2 location which are not tarred despite their proximity to the City’s Central Business District (CBD). Modise also wanted to find out if the minister intended to address the situation and even go further to install street lights in Phase 2.
But unfortunately the Tswapong chief will have to wait longer for his envisaged Gaborone developments as according to the Minister, there are no plans to upgrade the roads to bitumen standard due to financial constraints.
Kgosi Moeti Monyamane of Kgalagadi North and others however seemed more concerned about the welfare of their constituents.
Monyamane asked the Minister of Defense, Justice and Security about the replacement of asbestos roofing at Tshane Police Station staff houses.
“My Ministry is aware of health risks posed by asbestos and has a deliberate programme to replace all housing units with asbestos roofing sheets,” Minister of Defense Shaw Kgathi responded.
For his part Kgosi D. S Toto of Kgalagadi South wants to see Botswana Housing Corporation (BHC) constructing houses in Tsabong for rental. “In its endeavor to provide affordable housing Botswana Housing Corporation had planned to build 100 houses in Tsabong beginning 2019. Due to shortage of water and infrastructure, BHC will only start 10 houses in the last quarter of this financial year, followed by 20 houses in 2020 and ultimately 70 houses in 2021,” the Minister of Infrastructure and Housing Dvelopment responded. The latest session of Ntlo ya Dikgosi wrapped up this Friday. Kgosi Puso Gaborone retained his Chairmanship, beating Modise by 19 votes to 11. There were four absentees.
