04 Aug 2015

In today’s busy world, there is limited family time which contributes to conflicts and eventually breaking down of some marriages, Ministry of Local government‘s deputy permanent secretary Ms Gabatlotlane Sekwakwa has observed.

Speaking during a family reunion week in Jwaneng recently, Ms Sekwakwa said the role of the family in the society has diminished and that the institution is not as intact as it used to be.

“Spending most of time at work sometimes makes our family suffer,” she added.

Ms Sekwakwa said one of the worst enemies of a family is that “we spend most of our time chasing material things and trying to keep up with standards while neglecting family time.”

She said a family is a basic unit of the society and therefore it is imperative that it be allowed to play a meaningful role in building a nation with good morals and principles. 

She added that parents have obligations and responsibilities to nurture their children into responsible citizens.

Ms Sekwakwa noted that, as the future of any nation is built on its people, it is imperative to bring up children in an acceptable manner. 

She further said the family has an important part to play in combating social ills such as domestic violence, youth indiscipline, child abuse as well as alcohol and drug abuse. 

“The knowledge and wisdom of adults are to be fully explored to provide guidance to the youth,” she said.

She urged families to form partnerships with organisations that promote team work so as to improve the livelihoods of the nation through nurturing strong families.

The International Family Day was established by United Nations on May 15, 1989 and the day was officially celebrated on May 28 this year in Selebi Phikwe. 

In Jwaneng the event was organised by Ghetto Urban Designs Company under the theme, Strengthening healthy family ties towards vision 2016 and beyond.

In an interview the company’s director Mr Vincent Sebati said they intend to raise awareness about the importance of family and culture. 

Mr Sebati said they have been organising events of such nature for the past five years, motivated by report of Kgosi Puso Gaborone commission on moral decay. 

He said they have not allowed lack of sponsorship to stop them from hosting the event ,emphasizing and preaching the gospel of family importance. 

Mr Sebati also mentioned that they also preach issues of wellness because a family and a healthy life-style cannot be separated. Ends