The Maseru District Administrator has called on communities to take an active role in development, warning that government alone cannot deliver sustainable progress and that real change begins when residents participate, cooperate and hold themselves accountable.
BY LEMOHANG BOTSANE
Maseru District Administrator Ts’epo Lethobane has told community members that sustainable development cannot be achieved by government alone, and has called on residents across the district to take direct responsibility for progress in their villages and towns.
Speaking during a recent community engagement, Lethobane said practical solutions to challenges such as poor roads, water shortages and youth unemployment were within reach when communities participated in planning and decision-making alongside local leaders.
“Development is not only the job of government or leaders,” he said. “It is the duty of every Mosotho. When we care for each other and join hands, we can solve many of the challenges we face in our villages and towns.”
“Let us stop waiting for everything to be done for us. If we clean our surroundings, protect public property, and support small local projects, we will see real change in our district.”
Lethobane also highlighted the importance of unity and mutual support, saying strong communities were built on trust, cooperation and respect. He urged families to teach children good values and to look out for vulnerable members of their communities, including the elderly, orphans and people living with disabilities.
He encouraged residents to attend community meetings, share their ideas and engage with local leaders, and pledged that his office would continue to work closely with chiefs, councillors and community groups to ensure that government services reached the people. “The district administration is committed to listening to the concerns of the public and turning those concerns into action,” he said.
Community members who attended the gathering welcomed the message, with many saying they agreed that development must begin at home and that every resident has a part to play.
The address comes as the government encourages all districts to promote community-led development as part of national efforts to improve living conditions and reduce poverty. Residents were urged to remain united, support government programmes and take pride in building a better Maseru for future generations.
