It took less than a second after the President’s helicopter landed for people who live near the VTC grounds in Newstands to line up the streets each trying to get a glimpse of the President and maybe even shake his hand.
People of all ages did not want to be left behind.
To the residents, this was an opportunity to open up as he invited them to share their problems with him. While some used the time to air their concerns, some saw it as an opportunity to attack their representatives.
Ikageleng ward complained to the President that she does not know the council secretary or the deputy district commissioner, but tables were turned against her when it emerged she never attends kgotla meetings.
President Khama urged the residents to attend meetings, saying it was important as they get to know about government programmes at the same time encouraging the council secretary, mayor and councillors to get to know their people not simply through kgotla meetings but by visiting them in their homes.
Residents of Selibe Phikwe
Mmoniemang Tase of Radisele however said life for him was easy as he said he did not have any concerns to share with the President.
A shebeen owner told President Khama that she stops selling Chibuku at 10pm though she does not have stipulated opening hours, adding that her customers behaved well, were not noisy and never disturbed the neighbourhood.
To this the President said it was encouraging, saying he ordered a closure of “Flats,” a popular Chibuku selling avenue in Bontleng due to the wayward behaviour of the patrons.
An elderly woman complained about her children who although they work do not take care of her in any manner. She said she was waiting for the rainy season to plough as she survived by tilling her land.
Ms Osadi Sefhako said the land board has refused to allocate them land for ploughing as they were illegally tilling the land reserved for grazing.
Botshabelo South Extension
In Botshabelo South Extension, residents complained about Ipelegeng saying it has not rescued them from the jaws of poverty as they only work for a month and then stay for as long as six months without any form of income.
They said it would be easy if they were taken as part of Botshabelo South because they would compete for the posts only amongst themselves. They further said some residents in Selebi Phikwe working under the scheme do not rotate like others, saying this was a form of discrimination.
Another resident, Mr Keithusise Selei said he believes if he had a driver’s licence he could get a job as a driver, but the exorbitant fees charged by driving school owners hampered him from achieving his dream.
Ms Gaotwesepe Ramedupe, who was left paralysed following an accident in 2007, said the compensation she received from Motor Vehicle Accident Fund (MVAF) was too little, saying since she cannot work life has become miserable.
She requested for assistance for one of her children, saying she cannot pay school fees nor buy her school uniform.
Although the President did not address a kgotla meeting and was with residents for only two hours, the residents were happy with some saying he should visit often. BOPA