12 Jul 2015

Patron of Sir Seretse Khama Memorial Junior Secondary School, President Lt. General Seretse Khama Ian Khama has told learners to adopt a studious approach to education, strive to lead healthy lifestyles and exercise the fifth ‘D’ – discipline which, he said could mold them to become employable and productive trustees of posterity.

Giving a word of encouragement during a Wellness Day to the students and staff members at the school on Friday (July 10), President Khama encouraged young people to obey their parents and teachers and learn to exercise discipline from a tender age for the reason that if they allow indiscipline now, it may develop into a habit which could be difficult to uproot when they grow older.

“If you do bad things hiding behind the fact that you are young, it’s going to follow you for the rest of your life and affect you in future.

It is tough out there, when you are not self-disciplined, you become the odd one out, study hard and don’t waste this chance because employers out there are looking for people who have healthy minds, who are physically fit and disciplined,” he said.

President Khama encouraged young people to avoid alcohol and substance abuse, saying in their lives they need to eat well, avoid putting substances which may damage their bodies such as alcohol.He encouraged young people to get sporty while still young and revealed to them that every day he does two and a half hours of training, attributing his good health to that.

“Now do not think you are young and you will get active when you are older, start now. In your aspirations don’t just aspire to be a president, aspire to be a healthy president,” he encouraged young people .

He encouraged staff members to be active is sports so that they do not get old at early age, adding that a healthy workforce is a productive workforce which brings desired results.
Pesident Khama donated P10, 000 to the school, a netball kit, two football kits and balls.

For her part, the school head, Ms Gloria Makhandlela thanked President Khama for visiting the school which she said invigorated them to work harder in playing their role in the school. She however, expressed challenges of indiscipline on the part of students which she said they continue to tackle with the help of parents.

She added that their concerted efforts with parents have yielded results as the school continues to do well showing an improvement in results, from position 29 to position 8 nationally.

Further, Ms Makhandlela said the school need a photocopying machine to enable them to effectively discharge their mandate, adding there are challenges in photocopying teaching material and revision material for the students.

She promised to live up to the good name of the school by producing exceptional results “as a school carrying this big name we always want to associate ourselves with doing good things,” she said. Ends.