17 Jul 2014

The contributions made by Batswana and companies doing business in the country have seen many people who had no houses being housed.

When handing over two houses in Morwa and Malotwane on July 16, Senior Private Secretary to the President who is also the Secretary of the Presidential Housing Appeal, Brigadier George Tlhalerwa said so far 385 houses had been built.

Brigadier Tlhalerwa said 40 houses were under construction while the contributions made so far in the housing appeal stood at P3 million, which would be used to assist many Batswana.

He further said they were delighted to see people sharing their resources and helping others to regain their dignity by providing them with houses. Thus, he said Batswana had hearkened to the call by President Lt Gen. Seretse Khama Ian Khama to build houses for the needy.

Nevertheless, Brigadier Tlhalerwa expressed worry over some people who said President Khama came up with the programme to gain political mileage.

He the President had the nation in his mind and was thinking of Batswana who did not have shelter but could be assisted by others to have a roof over their heads. He said so far the housing appeal had been a success and many would continue to benefit from it.

In Morwa, the house was built by Jamhuri Botswana, a publishing company doing business in the village to a tune of P140 000. A representative from the company Mr James Wokorach said they started the project last year and was completed in June this year.

Mr Wokorach said they also wanted to play a part in the appeal by the president of Botswana to assist others hence they saw the need to achieve one of the Vision 2016 pillars of “being a compassionate, just and caring nation”.

He said it was also in line with their corporate social responsibility as a way of giving back to the community they operate in.

The beneficiary, Miss Maria Jankie, a 102-year-old woman of Morwa ran short of words to express her joy when the house was handed to her. She thanked God for having a better house than the shack she lived on before and asked God to bless those who built it for her.

In Malotwane, Ms Chinyane Ntwaagae could not hold her excitement and thanked Ms Grace Peterson who identified her when she was going through a tough time in her life. She said she and her children would no longer worry about where they would sleep “because today God has blessed us.”

Ms Ntwaage thanked President Khama for coming with such an initiative which targets the needy people like her extending a heartfelt gratitude to those who made sure her dignity was restored.

The house was built at P65 000 and a company called Kitchen Bonanza donated some blankets and they will also build a kitchen for her. Brigadier Tlhalerwa commended Ms Peterson for her sterling job in making sure that the needy were attended to through the provision of housing.

He said she met Ms Peterson when she visited them asking for help because she had a heart to see others living a better life.

He said she came with a P10 000 cheque she got from River of Living Waters International church and they helped to complete the house which was being donated. Brigadier Tlhalerwa said Ms Peterson have an input in more than 11 houses of the 385 built so far. ENDS