03 Mar 2013

Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) should not be seen as someone else’s role but everyone must contribute towards the life of other people, the Minister of Labour and Home Affairs has said.

Speaking at the business networking and fund-raising breakfast hosted by the ministry, Minister Edwin Batshu said his ministry has responded to the President’s call for all ministries to join communities across the country in eradicating poverty.

Mr Batshu said since the inception of CSR, his ministry has built and completed three houses in Moroka, Mokhomma, and Serowe. This he said, has also extended to the donation of food hampers, bedding items, clothes, and gardening projects for many families.

He said they have heeded and embraced the community service drive, especially within communities they operate in adding that some of the challenges they have faced in these communities have motivated them to make a lifelong difference in their lives.

He indicated that in some countries like Sweden, CSR has become a part of their culture, not just at organisational level but more importantly at individual level. “I do not think that Botswana is a long way off from achieving the same feat; however, it will require lots of dedication and efforts,” he said.

In her remarks, Vision 2016 Council secretary, Ms Mpho Makhema said CSR was not only government’s responsibility, and hence called on the private sector to also lend a hand.

 She called on those who can, to think about others and start giving so that Botswana could become a prosperous nation. The secretary said in Botswana so many private companies generated a lot of income but never gave anything towards CSR.

“For us to attain Vision 2016 the private sector has to give sufficiently towards CSR." Ms Makhema was worried that most companies that operated in Botswana gave more to the South African society where they originate, than they do here in Botswana.

She highlighted that in South Africa some companies have built stadia, roads, and schools, something that could be done in Botswana. ENDS