Note to Editors: Please find attached English and Sesotho soundbites by Cllr Mahalia Kose.
The Democratic Alliance (DA) in Nala will write to the Municipal Manager and the Chairperson of the Local Economic Development (LED) Portfolio Committee, calling for urgent intervention to stimulate job creation and local economic growth in Bothaville and Kgotsong. The DA will further push for collaboration between the municipality, businesses, and civil society to create sustainable employment and restore hope to struggling communities.
The people of Bothaville and Kgotsong are facing a deepening crisis. The lack of stable employment opportunities has left families trapped in poverty and struggling to meet even basic needs. The absence of sustainable jobs has led to social instability, a decline in hope, and an increasing reliance on handouts.
The situation in Bothaville and Kgotsong places many households in a position where the community cannot secure enough income for adequate nutrition, especially for children and the elderly.
The unemployment is even worse for single-parent families. This increases reliance on grants, charity, and feeding schemes, which are insufficient and unsustainable in the long term.
The situation is exacerbated by the limited opportunities for education or training available to youth in Kgotsong. Therefore, the youth has resorted and fallen prey to crime, drug abuse and other illegal activities. The deterioration of community facilities, such as the recreation centre, sports infrastructure, and youth programmes, has removed vital safe spaces for young people to gather, grow, and build skills.
The lack of jobs has also led to an increase in informal settlements and to a lack of economic dynamics, which limits the municipality’s revenue base.
For job creation in Bothaville and Kgotsong, the municipality must seriously focus on encouraging small business development, local entrepreneurship and agricultural value chain projects. Youth programmes, vocational training, internships, and apprenticeships can also help build capacity and engagement.
Reviving and maintaining the recreation centre in Kgotsong would provide a space for this.
The municipality must work to ensure that all stakeholders, including civil society, businesses, and residents, come together to chart and commit to a path of opportunity and restoration in Bothaville and Kgotsong.