CLUELESS LEADERS Councillors agree that they need intensive
Councillor for TakatokwaneDutlwe, Johane Gaosafelwe is convinced that continuous training for Councillors on government processes and how they operate is important for them to effectively represent the people.
Gaosafelwe said this following a five-day retreat that Letlhakeng Council had organised for them. He said they come out of the intensive training informed and with a better understanding of how things are done.
Due to lack of knowledge, Councillors blindly push the interests of the people and refuse to listen when told about processes that need to be followed for an idea to be approved and implemented.
“This was the only chance that we got to hear from the administrative side how things are done because in Council chambers, all we do is seek answers from them and nothing else.
“Here they were able to educate us better, it is through such trainings that we make better Councillors because we are then able to enlighten those who voted us into power,” he said.
His only disappointment is that the training came at a time when elections are nearer and chances are that some will lose the positions they are holding in a few months’ time. Lopang Sebutlenyane
of Salajwe said during the training, they were made to self-introspect.
“We were made to ask ourselves if we are delivering what is expected of us. We are here to appreciate the challenges that we have as a Council such as insufficient funds yet we need to deliver to our people. “Councillors are here to develop a strategic plan for the coming financial year despite our term coming to an end in a few months; this shows the commitment that we have towards our people,” he said. What Mothusi Ramogolane of Letlhakeng South loved the most is when they were made to selfintrospect to find out if they are delivering on what is expected of them. He said in most instances, Councillors get into positions then relax and wait upon voters to start threatening to not vote for them again during the next election year. “The training advised us that we need to talk to ourselves, it is corruption for a Councillor to be getting paid every month and not doing what is expected of them. Before we can even complain about Council, we need to first look at self and ask if we are doing enough,” Ramogolane said. Ramogolane said Councillors should strive to be leaders who make an impact in the lives of voters.
Nominated Councillor, Monica Tsheboyagae said after getting voted, Councillors don’t get inducted into the job. “They do not know what to say, how to say it and when. They do not know that there are issues which can be discussed at Village Development Committee (VDC) level first, all they know is that they have to speak on behalf of voters, so being trained is really important,” she said. Tsheboyagae said during the retreat, they have realised the mistakes they commit unknowingly as Councillors and they are now ready to go back home and serve their communities better.