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Phikwe residents demand decent jobs

patriot by patriot
January 12, 2021
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Phikwe residents demand decent jobs
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As the clock is ticking to the looming general elections slated for October, some Selebi Phikwe residents have vowed to elect a political party that will create sustainable jobs for them. The economy of the former mining town is currently on its knees, after government took a decision to shut down BCL mine which was the lifeline of Phikwe, leaving thousands of former miners jobless and hopeless.

The Patriot on Sunday conducted random interviews with residents to grasp their expectations from numerous political formations that have intensified their campaigns ahead of the much anticipated polls. One resident, Motswakgosing Mhaladi said as a voter he expects whoever will attain state power to make a serious overhaul of the town which heavily relied on mining. “We were informed that one day BCL mine was going to cease operation that is why government formed Selebi Phikwe Diversification Unit (SPEDU) in an effort to diversify the economy of the town. When BCL finally closed shop, SPEDU was 8 years old but the organization does not have any tangible results up to date. The unit has failed to attract investors to come and set up in our town,” Mhaladi averred. He opines that the buying power has since been eroded in Phikwe as the mine employed around 8 000 people including those that were hired by companies subcontracted by the Copper and Nickel mine. Mhaladi explained that a report compiled by SPEDU indicates that after the closure of the mine, 10 400 people lost their jobs adding that such a massive job loses has negatively affected even the informal sector.

Mhaladi noted that Phikwe needs political leaders that have the interests of the town at heart not those that are seeking political office for their own selfish reasons. He is of the view that Phikwe has now relegated to a ghost town with no meaningful economic activities. “Government should consider re-opening BCL mine as a matter of urgency to breathe life to the ailing economy. Without BCL, the town will struggle to attract investors,” he stressed. According to Mhaladi, Copper prices have drastically increased and therefore if BCL is re-opened it will definitely be profitable. The seemingly distraught Mhaladi said it is heart-breaking that graduates with engineering degrees are roaming in the streets of Phikwe unemployed. Mhaladi expressed disappointment that ever since President Mokgweetsi Masisi ascended to the presidency he has failed to visit the town to share his plans on how his administration will resuscitate the economy of the former mining town.

Another resident, Constance Makgosa reiterated Mhaladi’s sentiments that the only lasting solution to Phikwe’s misery is to re-open the mine. “The former miners are now enrolling on the Ipelegeng programme due to lack of job opportunities in the town. We need meaningful change in our town and our political leaders need to come up with strategies to rescue the town,” she pointed out. Kabo Gaadise said youth unemployment is extremely high in Selebi Phikwe as there are no meaningful job opportunities. He noted that as Phikwe residents they will only vote for a political party that promises to create jobs for them.

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  • Killings of journalists up 50% in 2022, half targeted off duty    January 25, 2023
    Eighty-six journalists and media workers were killed around the world in 2022 – one every four days, according to UNESCO data, highlighting the grave risks and vulnerabilities that journalists continue to face in the course of their work.   […]
  • Judge Tau; please don’t stifle public scrutiny of the Court of AppealJanuary 25, 2023
    Her utterances are misplaced and must be condemned with the contempt it deserves ADAM PHETLHE The Patriot on Sunday dated 15 January 2022 carried an article titled ‘Judge Tau defends CoA Integrity’, with sub-headings “Complains of discrediting reckless statements; […]
  • Miss Botswana 2022 is the Face of KGK DiamondsJanuary 19, 2023
    Its been an exciting first week back to her MBW duties and we kick off the year with an official announcement that Our Queen is The face of KGK Diamonds. Lesego Chombo alongside Nigel Amos was the show stopper […]
  • Executives to watch in 2023January 19, 2023
    A year is often too short to demonstrate your worth, yet that’s exactly what the newly appointed Chief Executive Officers (CEOs) have to do to show that they deserve their enviable roles. PATRIOT BUSINESS looks at CEOs who shall […]
  • BLP TEST AP/BCP UNITY TALKSJanuary 19, 2023
    BAKANG TIRO editors@thepatriot.co.bw The new entrant in the cooperation talks between Alliance for Progressives (AP) and Botswana Congress Party (BCP) – Botswana Labour Party (BLP) has thrown spanner in the works by demanding that both AP and BCP yield […]
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