18 Sep 2014

A house donation by Flo-Tek Pipes and Irrigation to the needy signifies a milestone towards achievement of the Vision 2016 pillar of a compassionate, just and caring nation.

Assistant Minister of Local Government and Rural Development, Ms BotlogileTshireletso said it was gratifying to see the private sector rendering assistance to the less fortunate members of the society in response to the Presidential Housing Appeal.

She said this when officially handing over a house built to the tune of P85 000 to one of the less privileged persons, Mr Kotlhao Kebapetswe in Lobatse on September 15.

Ms Tshireletso applauded the positive response Batswana had shown towards the Presidential Housing Appeal, adding that this augments other programmes designed to provide Batswana with shelter. The assistant minister thanked Flo-Tek Pipes for finding it worthy to commit funds on this gesture, during hard times when nations are still recovering from the global economic meltdown.

“The role that you play in the development of the less fortunate citizens is highly recognised by the government, especially my ministry which is responsible for the welfare of people,” she said.

The house was built at Delta ward for Mr Kebapetswe who was a mentally retarded person and was registered under the Lobatse Town Council as a destitute. He died before the handing over of the house which was given to his mother. The house will instill lifetime memories of the deceased in his family as well as contribute to bringing about their dignity, peace and unity, she added.

She urged the family to take extra care of the house for them to enjoy the benefits of having it.

For her part, Lobatse Town Mayor Ms Caroline Lesang said donation by Flo-Tek management shows their passion to help the community they serve. Ms Lesang said the donation of the house would go into the company’s books of history as a measuring tool for their achievement of success.

She said it was important for people to be showered with accolades not only for their own personal success but by their service to humanity.

For his part, Flo – Tek president Mr Vijay Naik said they built the house as part of the company’s social responsibility. This, he said was in support of the President’s program of donating houses to the needy. “We have committed ourselves to support this initiative,” he said.

Mr Naik said they intend to continuously keep engaging in these philanthropic activities.

Other than the house, Mr Naik revealed that Flo – Tek has been involved in various activities by donating food on a monthly basis as well as supplying food every month to two orphanage homes, in Lobatse and Otse.

“It is our commitment as a company to keep doing these types of charity a continuous basis,” he said.

Lobatse’s aesthetics has been improved through the Presidential Housing appeal as 18 houses have been built for the less privileged since 2012.

Of these 18 houses, Choppies Group of Companies built 5 houses, while the Lobatse Town Council built 1 and the Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development built 11.

The Destitute and Housing Programme under the ministry has also funded the construction of 10 more houses which will be handed over to the beneficiaries upon completion.  ENDS