High accommodation costs in Francistown is forcing scores of people to migrate to neighbouring villages in search of affordable houses for rent.
A number of people interviewed by Northen Extra this week indicated that they now commute between Francistown and neighbouring villages of Tati Siding, Tonota, Matshelagabedi, Chadibe, Borolong and Mathangwane because they could no longer afford the cost of accommodation in the city. Most complained that the high rentals had eroded their purchasing power.
“I was forced to move and find affordable accommodation at Tati Siding even though I am working for an insurance company in the city,” said Biki Simon. He explained that while on average a two-bed roomed house with electricity fetches P1200 or more a month in Francistown, a similar house with similar facilities goes for P750 at Tati Siding.
Samuel Botsoma is a former resident of Francistown who was also pushed out of the city to find affordable accommodation at Chadibe just outside Borolong.
The mother of three who is also a teacher at a nursery school in Block 8 said she could no longer justify why she is working. She explained that since moving to the village her life has improved because she is now able to save some money after buying food and paying for her accommodation.
Even though estate agents said last month that property rates have fallen owing to the world economic recession, most people interviewed maintain that rentals remain high in Francistown. Meanwhile the headman of Chadibe village Boy Nyambe has described the urban to rural migration of the workers as good saying it brings developments to his village. “Our people are now able to make a bit of money from the rentals they receive from their tenants,” he said.
However his main gripe with the tenants is that they do not consider themselves true inhabitants of the village and as a result they refuse to participate in village development activities.
