Botha-Bothe ___ The Government has invested approximately M5 million in constructing and furnishing offices for Principal Chiefs across the country’s 10 districts.

Prime Minister Ntsokoane Matekane revealed this on Friday while officially handing over the newly built office of the Principal Chief of Likila in Botha-Bothe district. The district also has another Principal Chief of Makhoakhoa, while other districts have more than two Principal Chiefs.

He explained that the handover of Principal Chiefs’ offices will soon be followed by the handover of two Area Chiefs’ offices.

He added that, after the current financial year, the government will begin rolling out similar projects for Area Chiefs countrywide in an effort to strengthen chieftainship service delivery.

“Chiefs are very important to our communities and to the government as they are close to the people, providing services ranging from security and law enforcement to ensuring cultural preservation,” said Matekane.

He expressed hope that the new offices would serve communities with dignity and not become “white elephants” associated with poor service delivery. He also promised a review of chiefs’ salaries in due course, assuring them of the government's commitment to improving their welfare and services.

Minister of Local Government, Chieftainship, Home Affairs and Police, Mr. Lebona Lephema, emphasized that his ministry is mandated to ensure chiefs provide effective services in line with the National Strategic Development Plan II (NSDP II), which underscores the role of chieftainship in uniting communities.

Chief Sekhobe Qhobela of Khukhune and Solane expressed gratitude, saying they had previously been embarrassed to direct people to the old, dilapidated office of the Principal Chief. He also appealed to the government to prioritize the review of chiefs’ salaries to improve service delivery.

For his part, Principal Chief of Likila, Chief Rets’elisitsoe Mopeli, thanked the Prime Minister for what he described as a world-class facility, pledging to deliver quality services to his community.

The ceremony was attended by several other Principal Chiefs, District Administrators, Deputy Prime Minister Justice Nthomeng Majara, and other Cabinet Ministers.

During the event, Matekane also donated 300 bags of rice, 50 bags of wheat, and 50 bags of sorghum to vulnerable families. Additionally, 70 birth certificates and identity documents were handed over to community members.

To mark the Prime Minister’s presence in the district, District Administrator Mr. Ts’epa Chaba, on behalf of the Likila community, presented blankets to Matekane and Minister Lephema.