Local Government in Botswana refers to government by Local Authorities who are commonly known as District and Urban Councils, Offices of the District Commissioner and Tribal Administration. Together with other key institutions such as the Village Development Committee, Local Authorities form the institutional framework within which Local Government operate.
Being a former British colony, the country has adopted the British system of Local Government where an eclectic mix of a democratically elected sphere of government and an appointed government cadre closest to the people is most rational and representative allowing for the efficient provision of public service at the point of service need.
The three tiers of Local Government in Botswana are:
• District and Urban Councils
Councils have been established by Act of Parliament and have powers within their defined area of jurisdiction. A council is a body corporate with judicious powers. It is distinguishable by name and seal by which it is established and capable of being sued under the same name. Councils provide a wide variety of services to communities including the provision of a political forum for district and urban development issues affecting communities through their representative Councilors.
• District Administration
Given the complexity of the district and urban planning process, the office of the District Commissioners (DC) has been brought in to coordinate district and urban development. The DC also performs delegated functions of central government departments at the local level and oversees the implementation of government policies. Besides the planning responsibilities, the DC retains certain judicial functions.
• Tribal Administration
Chieftainship is one of the oldest institutions in Botswana. It has survived the vicissitudes of the colonial period. The Chief who is head of tribal administration wields considerable personal and political influence, popularity, legitimacy, prestige and power.
Tribal Administration is responsible for a wide variety of traditional, cultural and ceremonial duties. This includes administration of tribal justice through a customary courts system known as the Kgotla which handles criminal and civil cases and provides advice on tribal matters.
Wednesday, January 13, 2010
Ministry of Local Government
The Ministry of Local Government is a massive, unique and intricate Ministry that oversees the sixteen subsidiary, semi-autonomous strategic development institutions known as Local Authorities. These are divided into Town, City and District Council as well as the District and Tribal Administrations.
The ‘Peoples Ministry’ as it is affectionately referred to is strategically located at the coalface of service delivery where the impact of Government programmes and projects is best felt and appreciated.
The Ministry has a has critical mandate facilitating development programmes at local level, fostering local democracy and governance, as well as promoting social welfare and economic empowerment of disadvantaged groups.
The Ministry is charged with ensuring efficient support services, financial resources, capacity building and supervision as well provision of basic physical and social infrastructure such as rural water, primary health, social safety nets, education and roads.
Mission
To facilitate the delivery of effective local governance, basic infrastructure and social services by creating an enabling environment for improvement of the quality of life of Batswana.
Vision
To be the centre of excellence in Local Governance and Social Service provision for improved quality of life.
Values
• Integrity
Fairness, Trustworthy, Courtesy, Honesty
• Customer Focus
Timeliness, People Centred Development
• Botho
Compassionate, Courteous, Selfless
• Transparency
Effective communication, information sharing, feedback
• Partnership
Community involvement, Teamwork, Consultation, Commitment
• Empowerment
Decentralisation, Involvement
The ‘Peoples Ministry’ as it is affectionately referred to is strategically located at the coalface of service delivery where the impact of Government programmes and projects is best felt and appreciated.
The Ministry has a has critical mandate facilitating development programmes at local level, fostering local democracy and governance, as well as promoting social welfare and economic empowerment of disadvantaged groups.
The Ministry is charged with ensuring efficient support services, financial resources, capacity building and supervision as well provision of basic physical and social infrastructure such as rural water, primary health, social safety nets, education and roads.
Mission
To facilitate the delivery of effective local governance, basic infrastructure and social services by creating an enabling environment for improvement of the quality of life of Batswana.
Vision
To be the centre of excellence in Local Governance and Social Service provision for improved quality of life.
Values
• Integrity
Fairness, Trustworthy, Courtesy, Honesty
• Customer Focus
Timeliness, People Centred Development
• Botho
Compassionate, Courteous, Selfless
• Transparency
Effective communication, information sharing, feedback
• Partnership
Community involvement, Teamwork, Consultation, Commitment
• Empowerment
Decentralisation, Involvement
The Development, Implementation and Monitoring of a Communication, Dialogue, Information Dissemination and Public Education Infrastructure for MLG
“The effectiveness of government and the impact of government programmes and projects is best felt and appreciated at the local level where the interface with people is more visible” Honourable Minister of Local Government, Lebonaamang Mokalake, (26th November, 2009).
The Ministry’s Organisational Structure
The Ministry’s Political Leadership
Minister: Honourable Lebonaamang Mokalake
Assistant Ministers: 1. Honourable Botlogile Tshireletso
2. Honourable Kentse Rammidi
Administrative Leadership
Permanent Secretary: Mr. Thato Yaone Raphaka
Deputy Permanent Secretaries:
1. Administration and Corporate Services (Acting): Mr Peter Mongwaketse
• Local Government Service Management (LGSM)
• Corporate Services (CS)
• District Administration (DA)
2. Local Governance: Mr. Molefi Keaja
• Local Government Development Planning (LGDP)
• Tribal Administration (TA)
• Local Government Finance and Procurement (LGFP)
3. Technical Services: Mr. Boipolelo Khumomatlhare
• Local Government Technical Services (LGTS)
• Primary Health Care Services (PHCS)
• Social Services (SS)
The Ministry is made up of the following Departments:
1. Department of Corporate Services
Senior Manager: Ms Lesego Maedza
The department exists primarily to build capacity for the Ministry and to coordinate a full range of administrative resources and support services, to enable the Ministry to deliver on its mandate.
Corporate Services is responsible for all matters Human Resources and Development; Coordinating Development, Finance and Procurement; Strategy Management and Corporate Communications.
2. Department of Primary Health Care Services
Director: Dr Refeletswe Lebelonyane
The Department of Primary Health Care Services coordinates, directs, supervises, and monitors the implementation of Primary Health Care Services including mainstreaming HIV/AIDS across all sectors within the Ministry and at district level.
The Department is also responsible for the coordination, implementation and monitoring of environmental health programmes in districts with particular bias towards waste management and inspection.
3. Department of Development Planning
Director: Ms Ofentse Modisa
The Department of Development Planning is mandated to deliver effective local governance through district development planning, development and monitoring of policies, statutes and guidelines.
It is the Departments responsibility to provide linkages between national and district development planning networks through coordination, preparation and production of National District Development Plans and Programs; render professional guidance and support to Local Authorities; provide linkage with Ministries, Finance and Development Planning specifically, other Ministries, and Office of the President in the process of developing development plans and undertaking development research and co-ordination; Policy Development and Analysis, Local Economic Development and the Labour Intensive Public Works Program
4. Department of Tribal Administration
Director: Ms Nametsegang Sekwati
The Department of Tribal Administration is one of the most decentralized organ of government. It provides national leadership and direction on customary and traditional policy matters. The Department utilizes the tribal institutions and systems for socio-economic development at local development
Tribal Administration is responsible for ensuring direction and sound leadership in traditional and cultural policies and maintenance of the status and role of chiefs in society; ensuring effective attainment of the tribal offices participation in development activities; ensuring provision of fair and reasonable standard of justice.
5. Department of Local Government Service Management
Establishment Secretary: Mr. Peter Mongwaketse
This Department exists primarily to ensure efficient provision and management of human resources for the Local Authorities.
The Department of Local Government Service Management is responsible for conditions of appointment and terms of service; Recruitment, transfer and promotion of officers; Staff compliments and grading; Administration, structure and assessment of salaries; Local Authority service training policy; Discipline, staff training and welfare; Localization and staff development programs; Staff inspections and Organization and Methods; Allowances and Gratuity Policy; Personnel statistics.
6. Department of Social Services
Director: Mr. Loeto Dilampi
The mandate of the Department of Social Services is to develop policies and legislations, coordinate, monitor and evaluate the implementation of social services delivery by providing social safety nets and psycho-social support to improve the quality of life of society.
The functions of the Department include responsibility for formulating and facilitating the development of social welfare policies, strategies and implementation guidelines; monitoring program implementation; implementing and monitoring social security programs; formulating, coordinating and monitoring child welfare policies; providing psychological and counseling services; mobilizing resources for programmes implementation; developing and providing rehabilitation programs, identifying capacity needs of local authorities; identifying and strengthening partnerships with social welfare Community Based and Non- Governmental Organizations; and liaising with international social welfare agencies.
7. Finance and Procurement
Director: Cathrine Marakalala
The Department of Finance and Procurement Services has eight divisions and they are; Local Authority Finance Unit, Estates Division, Local Authorities Public Accounts Committee(LAPAC), Food Relieve Services Division, Education Procurement Unit ,Departmental Management (Administration) and Competent Authority
8. Technical Services
Director: Ms Halakangwa Mbulai
The department of Local Government Technical Services (DLGTS) was formed on the 1st of April 2007. Its mandate is to provide technical advice to Local Authorities and other departments of the Ministry on matters pertaining to the development of infrastructure. This is achieved through the provision of policy guidance, facilitation of funding, monitoring the use of funds and progress on projects.
The department is charged with the responsibility of developing and maintaining a rapidly growing modern infrastructure that includes roads, village water supplies, schools, municipal and recreational facilities. This is done via the professional engineering, architectural and quantity surveying skills being provided by Land Servicing Unit, Water Unit and the Architectural and Building Unit.
Minister: Honourable Lebonaamang Mokalake
Assistant Ministers: 1. Honourable Botlogile Tshireletso
2. Honourable Kentse Rammidi
Administrative Leadership
Permanent Secretary: Mr. Thato Yaone Raphaka
Deputy Permanent Secretaries:
1. Administration and Corporate Services (Acting): Mr Peter Mongwaketse
• Local Government Service Management (LGSM)
• Corporate Services (CS)
• District Administration (DA)
2. Local Governance: Mr. Molefi Keaja
• Local Government Development Planning (LGDP)
• Tribal Administration (TA)
• Local Government Finance and Procurement (LGFP)
3. Technical Services: Mr. Boipolelo Khumomatlhare
• Local Government Technical Services (LGTS)
• Primary Health Care Services (PHCS)
• Social Services (SS)
The Ministry is made up of the following Departments:
1. Department of Corporate Services
Senior Manager: Ms Lesego Maedza
The department exists primarily to build capacity for the Ministry and to coordinate a full range of administrative resources and support services, to enable the Ministry to deliver on its mandate.
Corporate Services is responsible for all matters Human Resources and Development; Coordinating Development, Finance and Procurement; Strategy Management and Corporate Communications.
2. Department of Primary Health Care Services
Director: Dr Refeletswe Lebelonyane
The Department of Primary Health Care Services coordinates, directs, supervises, and monitors the implementation of Primary Health Care Services including mainstreaming HIV/AIDS across all sectors within the Ministry and at district level.
The Department is also responsible for the coordination, implementation and monitoring of environmental health programmes in districts with particular bias towards waste management and inspection.
3. Department of Development Planning
Director: Ms Ofentse Modisa
The Department of Development Planning is mandated to deliver effective local governance through district development planning, development and monitoring of policies, statutes and guidelines.
It is the Departments responsibility to provide linkages between national and district development planning networks through coordination, preparation and production of National District Development Plans and Programs; render professional guidance and support to Local Authorities; provide linkage with Ministries, Finance and Development Planning specifically, other Ministries, and Office of the President in the process of developing development plans and undertaking development research and co-ordination; Policy Development and Analysis, Local Economic Development and the Labour Intensive Public Works Program
4. Department of Tribal Administration
Director: Ms Nametsegang Sekwati
The Department of Tribal Administration is one of the most decentralized organ of government. It provides national leadership and direction on customary and traditional policy matters. The Department utilizes the tribal institutions and systems for socio-economic development at local development
Tribal Administration is responsible for ensuring direction and sound leadership in traditional and cultural policies and maintenance of the status and role of chiefs in society; ensuring effective attainment of the tribal offices participation in development activities; ensuring provision of fair and reasonable standard of justice.
5. Department of Local Government Service Management
Establishment Secretary: Mr. Peter Mongwaketse
This Department exists primarily to ensure efficient provision and management of human resources for the Local Authorities.
The Department of Local Government Service Management is responsible for conditions of appointment and terms of service; Recruitment, transfer and promotion of officers; Staff compliments and grading; Administration, structure and assessment of salaries; Local Authority service training policy; Discipline, staff training and welfare; Localization and staff development programs; Staff inspections and Organization and Methods; Allowances and Gratuity Policy; Personnel statistics.
6. Department of Social Services
Director: Mr. Loeto Dilampi
The mandate of the Department of Social Services is to develop policies and legislations, coordinate, monitor and evaluate the implementation of social services delivery by providing social safety nets and psycho-social support to improve the quality of life of society.
The functions of the Department include responsibility for formulating and facilitating the development of social welfare policies, strategies and implementation guidelines; monitoring program implementation; implementing and monitoring social security programs; formulating, coordinating and monitoring child welfare policies; providing psychological and counseling services; mobilizing resources for programmes implementation; developing and providing rehabilitation programs, identifying capacity needs of local authorities; identifying and strengthening partnerships with social welfare Community Based and Non- Governmental Organizations; and liaising with international social welfare agencies.
7. Finance and Procurement
Director: Cathrine Marakalala
The Department of Finance and Procurement Services has eight divisions and they are; Local Authority Finance Unit, Estates Division, Local Authorities Public Accounts Committee(LAPAC), Food Relieve Services Division, Education Procurement Unit ,Departmental Management (Administration) and Competent Authority
8. Technical Services
Director: Ms Halakangwa Mbulai
The department of Local Government Technical Services (DLGTS) was formed on the 1st of April 2007. Its mandate is to provide technical advice to Local Authorities and other departments of the Ministry on matters pertaining to the development of infrastructure. This is achieved through the provision of policy guidance, facilitation of funding, monitoring the use of funds and progress on projects.
The department is charged with the responsibility of developing and maintaining a rapidly growing modern infrastructure that includes roads, village water supplies, schools, municipal and recreational facilities. This is done via the professional engineering, architectural and quantity surveying skills being provided by Land Servicing Unit, Water Unit and the Architectural and Building Unit.
Thursday, January 7, 2010
Dikganarita, The MLG Events Coordinating Committee
The Ministry of Local Government Events Coordinating Committee, Dikganarita is responsible for driving the Ministry’s Vision 2016 pillar of, ‘A compassionate, just and caring nation,’ and the Ministry’s Corporate Social Investment initiative. Within the MLG context, Corporate Social Investment focuses on establishing social infrastructure and building strength and capabilities that contribute to the upliftment of communities. This is done through collaborative partnerships.
It makes sense for the Ministry to align its Corporate Social Investment spend with its core objectives and imperatives. ‘Such an approach moves Corporate Social Investment out of the charitable sphere into one in which true partnerships with beneficiaries, business and NGO’s bring about long-term sustainable development to the benefit of all.’
To this end, Dikganarita connected portable water for four destitute and disabled residents of Letlhakeng village, in the Kweneng District. The four stand pipes were handed to the beneficiaries at the launch of the 2009 Vision 2016 Awareness Month on Saturday 29th August, 2009.
Beneficiaries of the standpipes were identified by social workers in the village. The beneficiaries are Ms Ntshwarelang Nkwena of Shageng ward, Ms Leinane Gaseitsiwe of Mokwele ward, Ms Letlhoko Gaoforwe of Modimo ward and Ms Ntshese Leupa of Moiphisi ward.
Funding for this project was raised through the generous pledges and the clientele of Dikganarita’s fundraising activities. Dikganarita were able to raise funds through donations, car wash initiatives, cake sales and the sale of braai packs and beverages. The money raised was used to purchase the pipes and taps while Dikganarita members put in time and labour to dig the trenches for the water pipes and in connecting the beneficiaries stand pipes to the village portable water network.
The donation of the stand pipes for the vulnerable members of society in Letlhakeng follows on similar initiatives in Maun and Ramokgonami. Earlier last year, a needy family in Maun also had water connected to their home during the Ministry’s Open Day while the community of Ramokgonami was assisted with the establishment of a community garden and primary school orchard at the 2008 launch of the Vision 2016 Awareness Month.
Speaking at the launch of the 2009 Vision 2016 Awareness Month His Honour the Vice President Lt Gen Sebogodi Mompati Merafhe said, “The country has performed relatively well especially on the pillar of a compassionate, just and caring nation that scored a 96 percent followed by the pillar on an educated and informed nation at 85 percent,”
The National Vision 2016 is Botswana’s strategy to propel the country’s socio-economic and political development into a competitive, winning and prosperous nation. The vision is a result of extensive consultations with a wide spectrum of individuals and institutions in the country. It reflects the aspirations of Batswana about their long-term future.
2009 marked seven years to the targeted National Vision 2016 and the month of September has been marked as the country’s National Vision 2016 Awareness Month. It is during this month that the National Vision 2016 Council accords individuals and institutions the opportunity to evaluate progress towards the realization of the national goals. The theme for the 2009 National Vision 2016 Awareness Month was, “Turning Challenges into Opportunities: The Journey Continues.”
Dikganarita will continue to go beyond the call of duty to symbolize and consolidate one of the Peoples Ministry’s core values of botho by supporting and demonstrating that Batswana are, indeed, ‘a compassionate, just and caring nation.’
It makes sense for the Ministry to align its Corporate Social Investment spend with its core objectives and imperatives. ‘Such an approach moves Corporate Social Investment out of the charitable sphere into one in which true partnerships with beneficiaries, business and NGO’s bring about long-term sustainable development to the benefit of all.’
To this end, Dikganarita connected portable water for four destitute and disabled residents of Letlhakeng village, in the Kweneng District. The four stand pipes were handed to the beneficiaries at the launch of the 2009 Vision 2016 Awareness Month on Saturday 29th August, 2009.
Beneficiaries of the standpipes were identified by social workers in the village. The beneficiaries are Ms Ntshwarelang Nkwena of Shageng ward, Ms Leinane Gaseitsiwe of Mokwele ward, Ms Letlhoko Gaoforwe of Modimo ward and Ms Ntshese Leupa of Moiphisi ward.
Funding for this project was raised through the generous pledges and the clientele of Dikganarita’s fundraising activities. Dikganarita were able to raise funds through donations, car wash initiatives, cake sales and the sale of braai packs and beverages. The money raised was used to purchase the pipes and taps while Dikganarita members put in time and labour to dig the trenches for the water pipes and in connecting the beneficiaries stand pipes to the village portable water network.
The donation of the stand pipes for the vulnerable members of society in Letlhakeng follows on similar initiatives in Maun and Ramokgonami. Earlier last year, a needy family in Maun also had water connected to their home during the Ministry’s Open Day while the community of Ramokgonami was assisted with the establishment of a community garden and primary school orchard at the 2008 launch of the Vision 2016 Awareness Month.
Speaking at the launch of the 2009 Vision 2016 Awareness Month His Honour the Vice President Lt Gen Sebogodi Mompati Merafhe said, “The country has performed relatively well especially on the pillar of a compassionate, just and caring nation that scored a 96 percent followed by the pillar on an educated and informed nation at 85 percent,”
The National Vision 2016 is Botswana’s strategy to propel the country’s socio-economic and political development into a competitive, winning and prosperous nation. The vision is a result of extensive consultations with a wide spectrum of individuals and institutions in the country. It reflects the aspirations of Batswana about their long-term future.
2009 marked seven years to the targeted National Vision 2016 and the month of September has been marked as the country’s National Vision 2016 Awareness Month. It is during this month that the National Vision 2016 Council accords individuals and institutions the opportunity to evaluate progress towards the realization of the national goals. The theme for the 2009 National Vision 2016 Awareness Month was, “Turning Challenges into Opportunities: The Journey Continues.”
Dikganarita will continue to go beyond the call of duty to symbolize and consolidate one of the Peoples Ministry’s core values of botho by supporting and demonstrating that Batswana are, indeed, ‘a compassionate, just and caring nation.’
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