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Ministry of Local Government & Rural Development

Planning Permission

Overview

All land development projects must go through the planning permission process and receive approval from Ministry of Local Government Planning authorities before they can begin.The application will be reviewed by the local authority and may involve consultation with other authorities or ministries depending on the nature of the proposal. After such review the application will be taken to the Physical Planning committee for a decision.

Appeals of decisions by the Planning Authorities may be filed with the Land Tribunal.

Land development projects but are not limited to:

  • Developments which conform to the Development Plan and Development Control Code as established by local Planning Authorities;
  1. residential
  2. commercial
  3. industrial
  4. civic and community
  5. recreation and open space
  6. mixed use
  7. Changes of land use;
  • Subdivisions;
  1. Tree preservations and special buildings preservation;
  2. Change of land use; and
  3. Display of advertisement signs
Who is eligible?

Applications are only accepted from the owners of the property to be developed or their authorized representative.

How do I get this service?
  • Complete and submit the application form for planning permission, submit with supporting document in person at the office of the planning authority responsible for the area/settlement where the development is to take place.
  • You will be notified in writing by the Secretary of the Physical Planning Committee of the local authority regarding the decision made regarding the application.
  • Applications for planning permission are submitted through the planning authority operating in the area/settlement where the development of land is to take place. Depending on the type of application, consultation with other agencies such as the Water Utilities Corporation, Botswana Power Corporation, Department of Environmental Affairs or the Department of Surveys and Mapping may be necessary prior to submitting to the Planning Authority.
What supporting documents are required?
  • Proof of land ownership e.g. Certificate, Title Deed or Lease
  • Copy of a valid National Identity card (Omang) for citizens
  • Passport (non-citizens)
  • Location map
  • Site plan and other sketches and diagrams
How long will this service take?

 One (1) month

Theme for this service
How much does it cost?

  • The fees, payable in cash, point of sales card, or certified cheques(pre-approved entities only)vary per local authority and type of development proposed.
  • Please speak to the appropriate Planning Authority regarding fees. 
Ministry submitting this Service

Old Age Pension allowance

Overview

Old age pension is for Botswana citizens only who are 65 years old and above. Eligible pensioners are required to register either with the Pension Officers at the District Commissioners Office, Service Provider or Headquarters (Social Protection Department).Currently, the pension allowance is BWP530.00 per month. Pensioners have a choice to access their allowance as cash from Service Providers in all pay points or monthly bank transfer to beneficiaries’ bank accounts.

Who is eligible?

Old age pension is for Botswana citizens only who are 65 years old and above.

Eligible pensioners are required to register either with the Pension Officers at the District Commissioners Office, Service Provider or Headquarters (Social Protection Department)

Currently, the pension allowance is BWP530.00 per month.

Pensioners have a choice to access their allowance as cash from Service Providers in all pay points or monthly bank transfer to beneficiaries’ bank accounts.

How do I get this service?

Applicants are required to register with the department of Social Protection at headquarters, district offices and Service Providers.

 Who can appoint a proxy?

  • A beneficiary who is unable to collect their old age pension due to ill health, Old Age  or Physical disability may appoint any person of his/her choice, preferably a relative to receive the allowance on their behalf.
  • A beneficiary may revoke a proxy or appoint another if still necessary.
  • Proxy must produce his/her Omang during payments.

Life Declaration 

A beneficiary who receives the allowance through bank credit or through proxy is required to make a life declaration once in every six months, failing which the payment is automatically suspended until he/she declares, in which case he/she would be entitled to arrears.

How do i access missed payments (arrears)?

A beneficiary who is unable to collect his/her allowance during payments will be paid arrears cumulatively for a period of six months which he/she has to apply for through the department or service provider.

Conditions applied

  • An old Age Pensioner who is serving a prison term or is on extra-mural sentence, payments are stopped up to the month he/she is released from prison or complete his/her sentence and he/she is not entitled to arrears for that period.
  • Arrears can only be claimed within a continuous period of twenty three months from date of application. Arrears beyond twenty three months is forfeited.
Theme for this service
Synonyms

Old Age Pension allowance, Pension allowance, Old age

Ministry submitting this Service

Using Tribal court (Kgotla) for consultation and decision - making

Overview

Community members are entitled to meet at the tribal court (Kgotla) in their community to discuss, deliberate and make decisions on issues that affect the community, and also for information sharing. 

Who is eligible?

Citizens 

How do I get this service?
  • Request permission from the chief, in written or verbal form, giving specifics of the intended meeting (date, time, and other information) and wait for a response from the chief.
  • Once permission is granted, the applicant(s) should inform attendees of the meeting and its details.
What supporting documents are required?

No supporting documents

How long will this service take?

Immediate

Theme for this service
How much does it cost?

No cost

Meta tags

Botswana, Botswana Government, Republic of Botswana, Government of Botswana

Keywords

Community members, community, tribal court

Synonyms

Tribal court, Kgotla, consultation, decision - making

Ministry submitting this Service

Tertiary Education Funding (Rural Area Development Programme)

Overview

The government is committed to ensuring that citizens in remote areas are able to access tertiary education and therefore pays funding directly to the various schools where the children from the remote areas attend. 

When applying for funding, applicants are asked to be mindful that different institutions have varying deadlines.The ministry of local Government in liaison ensures of Department of Tertiary Education and Funding (DTEF) gives special dispensation to Rural Development Area citizen beneficiaries

Who is eligible?

Citizens or residents, living in any of the 6​9 Settlements Qualified Under the Rural Area Development Programme​.

How do I get this service?

1. Visit the Social and Community Development Office (SCDO) in his/her area, with the supporting documents, and  express the education needs. The officers would then provide the applicant with information on varying tertiary education institutions, including application forms.

2. Complete the application form for the preferred institution. The officers would then prepare a covering letter to the institution and the DTEF, dispatch them and advise on the outcome of the application.

What supporting documents are required?
  • Most recent secondary education results slip or certificate.
  • A valid National Identity Card (Omang).
How long will this service take?

Three (3) weeks  

Theme for this service
How much does it cost?

No cost

Meta tags

Botswana, Botswana Government, Republic of Botswana, Government of Botswana

Keywords

Tertiary Education Funding , Rural Area Development Programme

Synonyms

Rural Area Development Programme, Rural Area Development

Ministry submitting this Service

School Transportation (Rural Area Development Programme)

Overview
  • To ensure that children who are beneficiaries, living in the remote areas are entitled to free transportation to and from their boarding schools to enable them to have equal access to education.
  • These remote areas are determined by the challenges found in their actual location, conditions of the roads and accessibility to public transport.
Who is eligible?

Citizen and residents enrolled in a school, living in any of the ​ 6​9 Settlements Qualified Under the Rural Area Development Programme​ could apply. 

How do I get this service?

Any parent interested in accessing this service for his/her children must follow the following steps two (2)weeks prior to the beginning of the school term;

  • Visit the Social and Community Development (S&CD) office in the area with supporting documents outlined below, and  expressing transportation needs  to the S&CD officer. 
  • Provide the S&CD Officer with the children's and parents` names, home address, school address, and parents` contact information. 
  • The S&CD Officer would later advise the parents of their children collection time and location where they are to be collected.
What supporting documents are required?
  • Child's Birth Certificate.
  • Parents' National Identification document (Omang).
How long will this service take?

Five (5) working days

Where can I obtain this service?

Social and Community Development Offices

Theme for this service
How much does it cost?

No cost

Meta tags

Botswana, Botswana Government, Republic of Botswana, Government of Botswana

Synonyms

School Transportation, Rural Area Development Programme, RAD, 

 

 

Ministry submitting this Service

World War II (WW II) Veterans Allowance

Overview

The ex-service men and spouse(s) of a deceased veteran who were involved in World Wars I and II are entitled to an allowance in recognition of their contributions. The applicant must complete and submit a life declaration form every 6 months.

The allowance is BWP600.00

Please note that this form must be written and signed in the presence of the District Commissioner.

Who is eligible?
  • Botswana citizens with a valid national identification card (Omang) who participated in World War I or World War II.
  • Spouse(s) of a deceased veteran who participated in the wars and has not married another man who ever participated in the World Wars following the death of the veteran husband or wife.
  • A deceased veteran's child under 21 years of age whose mother is also deceased. 
How do I get this service?
  • Visit the local tribal administration office to request a declaration letter confirming the veteran's participation in the war. For a list of tribal administration office across the country, click here.
  • Take the declaration letter and supporting documents to the District Commissioner's office, requesting enrolment into the veterans pension programme. For a list of these Botswana Urban and District Council offices, please click here.
  • Download and complete the Registration of Beneficiary Form or visit the Department of Social Services to complete the form and submit with relevant supporting documents.
  • Indicate preference of payment either through the 12 month voucher book at the post office / Tribal administration office in his or her area or monthly bank transfer.
What supporting documents are required?
  • National Identification Card (Omang).
  • Declaration Letter from Tribal Authority.
  • Passport (Non-citizen).
  • Residence Permit (Non-citizen).
  • Marriage Certificate (Spouse).
  • Birth Certificate (Children).
  • Veteran's Death Certificate (Spouse & Children).
  • Spouse's Death Certificate (Children).
How long will this service take?

One (1) month.

Where can I obtain this service?

Social  Protection  Service Offices at any District or Urban Council.

Theme for this service
How much does it cost?

No cost.

Synonyms

War veterans, veterans, world war II, veteran allowance

Ministry submitting this Service
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