Kekgonegile demands jobs, not promises

Maun East Member of Parliament, Goretetse Kekgonegile had one strong message to Contractors and Omani investors at the recent launch of the largest solar energy project in Maun - to create jobs for the local community.The massive solar-plus-battery facility is expected to take 52 to 56 months to complete, with operations slated for 2029.The project aims to tackle chronic electricity shortages in the region, which are increasingly urgent as the population grows and new mines are discovered.Kekgonegile emphasised the demand for power, noting that it “calls for supply of electricity in monumental amounts.”Yet, he quickly shifted focus from power generation to job creation.“We are pleading with those who will be contracted. We are pleading with those who will be undertaking this project, the main contractors to hire our people here,” Kekgonegile said.His appeal was direct: semi-skilled and unskilled labour must come from the local community. “We do not expect labour coming from outside the region,” he insisted.“Often, contractors find it easy to give us food hampers. But the days of food hampers are gone. We need to be talking about tangible projects.”He outlined the community’s priorities: electrification of farming fields, solar-powered irrigation, and addressing the “huge challenge of human-wildlife conflicts” that continue to impact farmers in Maru and neighbouring settlements.“If you are to give communities projects, they should be projects that are tangible, providing food security and sustaining us in terms of income-generating projects coming from your CSR programmes.”Kekgonegile also called for local investors to be involved in subcontracting opportunities.“It should not be only a matter of constant electricity flow. It should be a matter of empowerment of locals in different dimensions.”He emphasised the importance of labour laws, warning that working conditions must respect them. “We have our own labour laws. We must recognise, implement, and respect. So that the project is smoothly implemented.”He expressed cautious optimism about the project’s future.“We are humbled by what the CEO said. He is not here to talk. He is here to give a new product. We will be looking forward to that.We will give you the benefit of the doubt. You have come so far to deliver something that is within your objectives and our expectations.”

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Kekgonegile demands jobs, not promises