/ 20 September 2016

​Social Development — Boemo Lesego

Boema Lesego
Boema Lesego

Social Development — Boema Lesego

Community leader 

email:[email protected]

Boemo Lesego is currently unemployed, but this motivational 23-year-old holds a number of key leadership positions in his home village, Mahalapye.

After serving as public relations officer (PRO) of the Xhosa 1 Ward Development Committee (WDC) from 2014, he rose to the position of chairperson in November 2015.

As WDC chairperson, his primary role is to facilitate linkages between the community and stakeholders like government departments, business and non-governmental organisations.

“We are the eyes and ears of the community. Our role is to identify different needs within our community, and liaise with relevant stakeholders to resolve them. For example, we work closely with social welfare officers to identify destitute families, and make sure that they benefit from government social security programs,” says Lesego.

Under Lesego’s leadership, the WDC regularly lobbies the political leadership to fast-track development in the village. It also mobilises the community and other stakeholders to raise funds for community projects.

“For example, we’ve identified school children that are in need of assistance. We have mobilised the community to raise funds to purchase school shoes and uniforms for them. We’ve put collection bins in strategic areas for the community to donate whatever clothes they can. As committee members, we’ve individually pledged to dig deep into our pockets to buy each of these children school shoes,” says Lesego.

He has previously held voluntary positions as PRO and chairperson of the Xhosa 1 Youth Committee, and Eastern Sweeper’s Football Club chairperson. Lesego also served as Independent Electoral Commission ambassador in Mahalapye East Constituency, and chairperson of the Excellence Awards Preparations Committee for the Morale Cluster.

As Xhosa 1 Youth chairperson, Lesego organised a Basic Marketing Course for 40 youth in the ward, accredited by Mahalapye Rural Training Center. He further assisted the same youth to register businesses, and for them to visit the Botswana Meat Commission plant in Lobatse.

Lesego has volunteered as a motivational speaker on life skills and behavioural change for primary school pupils in Xhosa 1.

Currently, Lesego is organising a sponsored walk to raise funds for Eastern Sweepers Football Club. He has also promoted some of the club’s players to progress to the elite league.

“The club has a lot of potential and boasts very skilful players. But they need of equipment like balls, kit and boots. The sponsored walk is meant to raise funds for equipment, so that the team can compete with others on an equal footing,” says Lesego. — Spike Ganetsang