PUSHING PROJECT RESET
FOLLOWING the retirement of North West District Commissioner (D.C), Keolopile Leipego, last year, Thabang Waloka has been promoted to fill the big boots.
Having started work as an assistant district officer development in Charleshill way back in 2004, Waloka, who is in his early 40s, has risen steadily through the ranks since.
His CV is littered with stints in different D.C offices across the country, including: Gantsi (2005-2007), Maun (2007-2011), Okavango (20112021) and Moshupa (2021-2022).
At the beginning of August, he moved north once again, to take up the biggest position of his career to date.
In this interview, Waloka tells FRANCINAH BAAITSE about his plans for the district and looming ‘wedding bells’.
Congratulations on your new appointment. What can Ngamilanders expect?
I am here as a new D.C to Ngamiland, a district with high potential to improve lives of Batswana. This is a place where tourism, hospitality and agriculture - especially livestock - thrives. These are the main sectors of the economy, in the region, which generally uplift the lives of Batswana. My coming here is to ensure that services reach the masses and make sure no one is left behind or deprived of the basic needs and free government services.
So, what is your first assignment?
Development and to find alternative ways of making things happen as opposed to entirely relying on government funds. I do not want to assume things; assumption of what is happening around. Yes, there are reports from different villages and settlements but I will be visiting all areas in the district so I can talk to the people and understand their needs and wants. I want to hear it from them because I want everyone to take part in the reset agenda.
And what exactly is your understanding of this reset agenda?
To me, it is all about reactivating Botswana by way of resuscitating the economy. It is a call for Batswana to think differently in their approach to development and growth, for them to change the way they have been doing things and come up with new ways of doing business and contributing to the country’s growth.
How are you going to achieve this?
I am expecting a lot and so far district leadership have welcomed me and are willing to support me on this endeavour. We have already had our first meeting and we have agreed that we have to come up with alternative ways to eradicate problems faced by the district and not expect central government to come up with all the solutions on our behalf.
You were recently Assistant District Commissioner in the
Okavango Sub District, which forms part of the North West. Is it fair to assume, then, that you have an idea of the special needs of the district?
Like I said, I do not want to assume anything. But I can say for Okavango, for instance, things that come to mind across the sub district are bad roads and poor supply of portable water. I recently used the Nokaneng-gumare road and it is in a terrible state, very bad potholes and dangerous for motorists.