User:Seonyatseng/sandbox

A LOOK INTO THE POVERTY ERADICATION PHENOMENA
PART I : The scheme

By: Seonyatseng Moswang



Mass poverty in Botswana has led to increasing concerns in policies and associated developments efforts that focus on poverty eradication. According to the studies undertaken by International Poverty Center (IPC) dated September, 2005, poverty profiles indicated that rural households are more likely to be poorer than urban households. The study indicates that poverty incidence in urban villages is 35 percent respectively 2002-2003 whereas the incidence is 44.2 percent in rural villages.

Following the crisis of extreme poverty the government of Botswana implemented social policies to assist vulnerable people such as destitute, elderly and remote area dwellers (RADs).Government came up with some initiatives like Ipelegeng, Integrated Support Programme for Arable Agricultural Development (ISPAAD), Livestock Management and Infrastructure Development (LIMID), and recently Tirelo Sechaba was also introduced.

In explaining these initiatives further, Ipelegeng was developed to create basic employment to able bodied Batswana who are not working. The statistics provided by the government portal shows that over 40 000 people have benefited from this programme.

ISPAAD was also established to aid in contributing to the country’s food security whilst at the same time aiding Batswana to have sustainable livelihood. Statistics further shows that 94 099 farmers have benefited. In this programme, the government provides seeds and fertilizers for free for its citizens. Limid is established to improve livestock management.

P178 million has been spent on the re-introduction of TireloSechaba. Participants who volunteer will be given P500 with an additional amount of P200.The programme targets out of school youth of ages 20-30 years. Eradication of absolute poverty is what the government dedicates its self to even though there are the weaknesses that disable the programme to be a success.

PART II : OPPOSITION RESPONSE TOWARDS THE INITIATIVES
By Seonyatseng Moswang



Government’s poverty eradication programme are in place and appreciated however there is a concern that  there is the abuse of the programs and the initiatives are just a waste of public funds.

During an interview with the Botswana Gazette dated December 21st Gaborone Mayor, Haskins Nkaingwa said, “people are given similar projects whilst residing in the same location and they are given money when they do not qualify.”He added that people end up consuming their stock and coming back to the council for more money or funds. He further indicated that Gaborone city council has spent 10 million Pula on the packages so far buying materials and equipment as well as train beneficiaries but challenges are plenty. For example lack of space, market saturation and lack of commitment on the part of some beneficiaries.

Contradictory to what the Mayor said, Minister for Presidential Affairs and public administration Mokgweetsi Masisi gave a speech in Tswana times newspaper saying that the beneficiaries will be inducted on life skills, training programme which will enhance their administrative acumen, thus improving their capabilities in managing projects of their choices. Furthermore he added that anticipants will be inducted with basic financial literacy and clustering effective marketing strategies, production processes as well as networking.

The Policy Chief of the Opposition, Ndaba Gaolathe commented on Sunday Standard that the initiatives create permanently dependent citizens, who lose interest in looking for opportunities for themselves in the mainstream economy.He continued to say that the initiatives require proper and careful planning.

Elaborating on this matter of considering these initiatives a waste of fund Botswana Congress Party President was quoted in Tswana times saying that the proposed Tirelo Sechaba is an indirect admission by the government that is failing to create jobs for the youth. He further argued that the programs do not carry any beneficial incentives such as pension schemes, medical aid and access to financial assistance such as loans that can develop the youth.

Furthermore in addition to the criticism, the Secretary General of Umbrella for Democratic Change, Gomolemo Motswaledi was quoted in Botswana Guardian that was published on the 6thof September saying that BDP spend their time enticing the voters with short term initiatives instead of sustainable means of living.

The rift between the opposition and the Government towards poverty eradication initiatives remains but all in all we should remain a united nation.

PART III: PUBLIC PERSPEPTION ON THE PROGRAMME
By: Seonyatseng Moswang



Most Batswana have enrolled in these initiatives and they are still encouraged to take the programmes seriously as it would most likely improve their standard of living.

A resident of Sekhutlhane village Thabo Rapitse applauded Ipelegeng,“Ipelegeng has in a way added value to my life, compared to before when I only idled like a lost goat.” He further indicated that there is free breakfast for those who are part of the programme. During a Kgotla meeting in Mabula ,Kgosi Tiro raised a concern that the youth are not taking the other initiatives seriously but fortunately the youth   appreciate Tirelo Sechaba. “ Tirelo Sechaba will make a great impact in the lives of our youth as most of them have been enrolled, “he said.

Thou very few has responded positively Katlholo, the Village Development Committee Chairperson complained that there are challenges faced by the Beneficiaries. “The backyards gardens are collapsing because there is no water and the goats they are given are dying, “he said. He further indicated that the projects are never evaluated after being provided, so the beneficiaries misuse their stock and revert back to their initial poverty status.

However there is a certain portion of the public in Mabule which believes that the initiatives help the individuals to earn their living without pity parties even though they suffer from abject poverty.In contrast the Chief revealed that there is no market for beneficiaries to sell their products that is why they end up losing hope. In conclusion some Batswana have welcomed the programmes and they have shown interest in improving their lives.

PART IV: DIFFERENT PERSPECTIVE OF EDITORS ABOUT POVERTY ERADICATION
By Seonyatseng Moswang

We hear different views about poverty eradication initiatives from the beneficiaries, public, member of parliaments, private sectors and oppositions but mostly we read what the  media people says about the issue. As they are also humans, some agree with Masisi some disagrees. “Up to now, it is not entirely clear from where this strategy originates, how it has been developed, or why government believes it will succeed,” Said Fred Morton the chairman of the  editorial committee and the vice president of Botswana society.

He said this in his article in Mmegi dated 09 May, titled ‘Can poverty be eradicated in Botswana?’ This man believes that poverty eradication appears to consist of three lines in which the first line states that the administration wants to focus on private business and local enterprise, where more and varied jobs are supposed to be created. Secondly they focus in agriculture and food security to eradicate  abject poverty then finally the administration has established the goal of creating a marketing network that will bring together 'micro and small scale' producers (mainly of agricultural products), service providers, procuring agents, and entrepreneurs to create regular ‘market days. He recommended that regarding to the significance of these efforts, and the difficulties faced by other nations, in tackling poverty, it is in the public's interest to learn as much as possible about the administration's efforts so as to participate, assist and benefit. “Poverty affects us all, and attempts to bring it to an end are likely to require the cooperation and contributions of a broad cross-section of the population,” said Morton.

According to Van Michel Van Hutten, he posted on corruptive.org dated 10 April 2014 he mentioned corruption as the obstacle to fight poverty. Hutten stressed that extreme poverty cannot be ended without fighting for corruption-free public services and protection for the most vulnerable. He continued to write that numerous studies have shown the limited success of government-led anti-corruption efforts.

According to Mary Boyd a member of the P.E.I. Coalition for a Poverty Eradication Strategy, she wrote a letter in the guardian online dated February, 19 she recommended that in order to eradicate poverty there has to be a radical change from the unfair distribution of power and resources that presently exists. Boyd advised policy-makers, to their feet in the shoes of those who are hungry, cold, without transportation, living in terrible housing, stressed and sick today because of poverty.

PART V : “LET’S JOIN HANDS TOGETHER TO FIGHT POVERTY”
By: Seonyatseng Moswang



The government must not always be criticized when coming up with solutions to solve the problems encountered by the country. Instead of criticizing why can’t you come up with a better idea that could be used to fight poverty. Yes, there are weaknesses that have been derived from these initiatives but as the opposition we can bring our ideas together with the ruling party and come up with something solid. At the end of the day the people who are experiencing the hard ships of this poverty are our brothers, sisters, country men and women. What they go through affects us all, so it shouldn’t be the problem that has to be faced by the ruling party only.

From a business women’s perspective the positive effects of the programmes are numerous. The beneficiary will be able to supplement his house bill, as well as generate some tax free income and at the same time it kills boredom. Vegetables and meat products are too expensive to the consumer; so background gardening as well as other food related ventures can supply a family diet and significantly fight diseases caused by malnutrition. Take an example like in Zimbabwe each and every household has a backyard garden that provides food, their physical fitness, muscles and their stamina tells it all.

Sometimes when you doubt an initiative, feel pity to those who were unfortunate to go to school or who were not god given in terms of brilliant brains. Where will they get those 10 years experiences? At least now Ipelegeng doesn’t want any qualification .The time is flexible and phaphatha and drink for free, please who can give you that when you are illiterate?