L. T. Mokalake, Botswana’s Minister of Lands and Housing, discusses the government’s drive to build more affordable housing for the people of Botswana. He also highlights the ministry’s efforts to ensure proper land use throughout the country.
European Times: What are the main tasks of the Ministry of Lands and Housing?
L.T. Mokalake: Our mission as ministry is management of land and delivery of housing for socio economic development. This entails management of land as a whole and provision of housing for the general population as well as building affordable accommodations for public services, and to manage Botswana’s land and how it is utilised. The government agency Botswana Housing Corporation is the nation’s housing authority. According to the 2011 Population and Housing Census, 75% of Botswana’s population is adequately housed.
European Times: What partnership opportunities does Botswana offer concerning housing and land use?
L.T. Mokalake: Investments in affordable housing are welcome. Investors can participate in public-private partnerships to build affordable housing for medium- and high-income groups, while land is available for investors in projects in the agriculture, tourism, manufacturing and mining sectors. Concerning agriculture, Botswana particularly seeks investors in large-scale projects. This ministry allocates land to investment agencies, institutions and investors, for possible allocation.
European Times: How have Botswana’s land-use policies benefited the country’s development?
L.T. Mokalake: Land in Botswana is zoned for specific uses (residential, agricultural or commercial) and is largely being used according to this zoning system, which has resulted in low incidences of squatting, mismanaged land and land degradation. To further optimise land use in Botswana, the government has recently introduced an integrated farming policy and reviewed land policies to ensure proper land management, and government is currently formulating a policy on private-sector participation in land use.
European Times: What are some future projects for the Ministry of Lands and Housing?
L.T. Mokalake: The ministry’s planned projects include a major low-income-housing program, to allocate land to private developers and individuals for housing development. In addition, the ministry is preparing a national housing strategy to address access to housing finance, active involvement of the private sector through PPPs, allocation of land for housing purposes and legislative review. Another goal is to create a land bank to prepare for the growth of towns and major villages through growth points areas.
European Times: What is your personal message to investors?
L.T. Mokalake: Botswana offers outstanding opportunities as well as tax incentives, good human resources, almost no corruption and a stable government.
