In 2022, President Mokgweetsi Masisi made a pledge to allocate 100 000 residential plots by 2024. The milestone target was met on the 11th June 2024 in Kanye where the Ministry of Lands and Water affairs allocated the 100 000th plot, in the presence of the His Excellency. (The Botswana Gazette, 2024)
According to the Minister of Lands and Water Affairs, Minister Kefentse Mzwinila, more residential plots were allocated to citizens of Botswana in this period of 2 years since Botswana gained its independence. It has resulted in reducing the waiting list for plot allocation by 60% since 2019.
Media outlets have further reported that the Kgalagadi, Chobe, Rolong, Tati and Ghanzi land boards surpassed the target number they had set at the beginning of the exercise. A challenge that was faced by other land boards was shortage of land to allocate.
His Excellency, expressed his concern of Batswana selling their allocated land to non-citizens and urged them to be cognisant of the fact that each Motswana is only allocated one plot for the entirety of their lives. Other concerns of the Ministry are those of low responses to invitations from the relevant land boards for beginning the process of land allocation. Another challenge is that of applicants reverting back the plot allocated in a specific region back with hopes of getting allocated elsewhere.
Tell us what your thoughts are on this milestone by the MLWA.