Tati Nickel Mining Company (TNMC) last week handed over the Ipopeng mini-factories to Matshelagabedi residents as part of its Corporate Social Responsibility Projects (CSR).
The Minister of Trade and Industry, Dorcas Makgatho Malesu, officiated and said it is sad that a lot of Batswana businesses crumble because of lack of integrity and corporate governance principles.
Malesu, who was the key guest speaker at the ceremony, revealed that the most common cause of failure with Batswana businesses, especially the community projects, is the embezzlements of funds and lack of strict mechanisms for services such as rent collection.
“We have seen in the past projects that were meant for self sustenance and uplifting an ordinary Motswana crumbling,” she told the residents.
The Minister implored the residents, particularly the Village Developments Committee (VDC), which heads such projects, to be transparent and responsible as the projects are very important in uplifting the lives of people. Malesu highlighted that TNMC continues to make a tremendous mark in uplifting and developing the lives of people in its area of operation.
“I count Matshelagabedi Village VDC as one of the luckiest VDC’s in Botswana because you have a true partner in the form of TNMC; you are indeed blessed,” she added.
She highlighted that although the mine suffered the harsh blows of the economic down turn just like the rest of the mining industry, it still appreciates the fact that it has a responsibility to recognize the community it operates in.
Malesu went on to tell the residents that the Ipopeng mini factories were constructed mainly for two reasons: being to generate income for the VDC to be able to develop village projects and to further create employment for the residents.
According to the overview of the TNMC projects, Ipopeng Mini-factories fall under the Business Development Social responsibility strategy as a mission to try and promote the spirit of entrepreneurship among different communities and self reliance.
Villages, such as Matsiloje, Tonota and Siviya, have benefited from such initiatives.
TNMC started its CSR projects in 2008; they involve the contribution in education improvement, health and even social investments among different villages and schools within its area of operation.
The Ipopeng Mini-factories will cater for agricultural projects such as poultry and other handiwork and TNMC pumped P820 000 in the establishment of the factories.
