Over P1bn needed for revamped Ipelegeng allowances

 

Hard at work with hope of an increase

Ipelegeng workers will have to wait longer before their allowance is increased from P817.00 to P2,500.00 as promised.

Assistant Minister of Local Government and Traditional Affairs, Ignatius Moswaane, revealed that the government has decided to transition from Ipelegeng to the Ikageng Public Works Programme, retaining the current number of participants and allowance rate while further consideration is given to the proposed increase.

Moswaane explained that the key change in Ikageng is the introduction of a skills development component, designed to enhance livelihoods and promote sustainability.

The training with the production model equips participants with practical skills, enabling their transition into employment or entrepreneurship.

“As an improved version of Ipelegeng, the Ikageng Public Works Programme integrates skills training and empowerment, monitoring and supervision, supporting a knowledge-based economy, increasing productivity, and creating sustainable employment opportunities while achieving multiple development outcomes,” he said.

He acknowledged that many Batswana depend on the programme allowance for daily sustenance, but noted that implementing the new allowance would increase costs by P1, 408,779,256—representing a 105 percent rise. Moswaane was responding to a question from MP for Kgatleng West, Dr Unity Dow, who asked whether the transition would reduce the number of beneficiaries unless accompanied by a significant budget increase.

He clarified that any Motswana aged between 18 and 60 is eligible to participate, regardless of education level, though means testing will ensure only vulnerable and deserving members are engaged.

By integrating skills development, Moswaane said, Ikageng aims to improve immediate income-earning capacity while equipping participants for long-term economic participation.

The programme aligns beneficiaries with the demands of a knowledge-based economy, promotes productivity in key sectors, and facilitates pathways to sustainable employment and enterprise development.

“As a result, the programme delivers multiple outcomes, including improved livelihoods, enhanced human capital, and broader socio-economic development,” he stated.