05 Aug 2014

The Acting Minister of Youth, Sport and Culture, Vincent Seretse says in an effort to revive culture, government has put in place a Culture Policy that will ensure culture celebration by every Motswana in order to reinforce a sense of national unity and pride.

“As we move along the route of development, some of us inevitably loose some of the very essential aspects that have over time defined who we are as a nation,” the minister said.

Seretse was giving a keynote address at the Botswana Public Employees Union (BOPEU) cultural night and dinner aimed at raising funds towards assisting one of the union members Obusitswe Garetshoge who is to undergo  kidney transplant.

 The event was held  at Tlotlo Hotel and Conference Centre on Saturday (August 2).

The government, he said, has come up with a number of initiatives in support of the revival of culture because of the fact that the pride of any country and its people reflected in its identity.

On other issues, the acting minister made emphasis on the fact that, as a country that pursues the dream of becoming a compassionate, just and caring nation by 2016, events of this caliber and magnitude were worth undertaking in living out the vision.

Mr Seretse appreciates that the events broadens the union’s purpose beyond the confines of labour issues.

“Through a well-established sense of corporate social responsibility, BOPEU not only confirms its commitment to building a better society but also becoming a subject of envy for other organizations to ultimately seek for all-embracing strategic directions,” he stated.

He was also grateful about the fact that there was no doubt that the event was a reflection of wisdom for the union to not only ascribe solely to labour issues, but also expand its magical winds of change to being of economic and social aid to members of the society.

The BOPEU youth leadership responsible for spearheading the event was commended for a job well done by the acting minister arguing that the government would not be able to carry the burden of ensuring the welfare of Batswana alone if movements like BOPEU do not take part in improving lives of the less fortunate.

Presenting objectives of the event, the BOPEU’ secretary for the youth, Kemodisa Watota said the aim of the event was to address four aspects such as, raising funds for kidney transplant for one of its member in Molepolole, to brand BOPEU by promoting cultural awareness, to promote collaboration and networking with other stakeholders as well as to promote activism among the union’s youth workers.

The kidney transplant operation is expected to cost about P600 000. ENDS