04/09/2026
GCC INDUCTS NEWLY ELECTED WARD DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE MEMBERS
Gaborone City Council (GCC) has conducted an induction workshop for newly elected Ward Development Committee (WDC) members, aimed at equipping them with the knowledge, skills and understanding required to effectively discharge their responsibilities and contribute meaningfully to community development.
The workshop focused on key areas including good governance, financial and asset management, planning, record keeping and effective stakeholder collaboration. It also emphasised teamwork, Botho and the importance of establishing sustainable income-generating initiatives to support community development.
Welcoming participants, Kgosi Kenneth Thari congratulated the newly elected WDC members on their election, describing it as a reflection of the trust and confidence that their respective communities have placed in them. He urged the members to embrace their responsibilities with commitment, diligence and a strong sense of service.
Kgosi Thari further underscored the importance of teamwork and Botho, noting that unity, mutual respect and collaboration are essential to achieving meaningful and sustainable community development.
The Deputy Mayor Hon. Mankie Sekete urged WDC members to shift their focus from elections to service delivery. Hon Sekete emphasised that WDCs must be organised, accountable and development-oriented, working closely with communities to identify challenges, mobilise residents and transform ideas into tangible development initiatives.
Acting Deputy Town Clerk - Operations, Mr Patrick Oleseng encouraged WDC members to translate the trust bestowed upon them by their communities into meaningful development outcomes.
Mr Oleseng highlighted the importance of good governance, accountability and a clear understanding of the role of WDCs in advancing community development. He noted that National Development Plan 12 (NDP 12), the Botswana Economic Transformation Programme (BETP) and the Sustainable Livelihoods Approach should guide WDC efforts towards improved service delivery, enhanced economic opportunities and the development of resilient communities.
Chief of Social and Community Development, Ms Kopano Poroga, outlined the key objectives of the induction workshop, which included corruption prevention, financial management, asset management, relations with political leaders and public servants, collaboration with other ward committees, record keeping, planning and effective management.
Ms Poroga also emphasised the need for a mindset change among WDC members, encouraging them to move beyond identifying community challenges and take proactive steps towards developing sustainable projects that can generate income, empower residents and contribute to the socio-economic development of their communities.
The two days induction workshop provided newly elected WDC members with essential knowledge and practical guidance to enable them to effectively execute their mandate. The programme further reinforced the importance of accountable leadership, community participation, teamwork and sustainable development in strengthening service delivery at ward level.