22 Nov 2015

The Charity Association of Chinese in Botswana (CACB) and Botswana Telecommunications Corporation Limited (BTCL) have each donated P100 000 towards the Matsha Community College Accident Fund.

Receiving the CACB donation, Minister for Presidential Affairs and Public Administration, Mr Eric Molale, thanked the CACB for their response to assist in a disaster that has befallen the country in the Kweneng District.

Mr Molale said Botswana has always appreciated response from the association because whenever there was a call to assist they were always on the forefront. He said the response during evacuation, the relief aspect and the rehabilitation including counseling were going well.

He disputed allegations that donations should only come through government as donations of this form were not restricted in any way. He said in the event one was not able to go directly to the aggrieved family, they could contact the District Commissioners’ office in Molepolole or Disaster Management office.

Mr Molale noted that the Bankers Association of Botswana has opened an account where people could make donations towards the fund. He said that the Chinese had been Botswana’s friend for a long time and he hoped that the friendship would grow from strength to strength.

Chairperson of CACB, Mr Miles Nan said in China there is a saying that “terrible disasters have no mercy, but humans do, when disaster struck help comes from all sides.”

Mr Nan noted that as Chinese living in Botswana, they were touched by the accident, not only as Chinese, but as well as parents and as such, they sent messages of condolences to all the bereaved families.

In this regard, Mr Nan said other Chinese community and entrepreneurs living in Botswana came together to lend a helping hand towards the Matsha Accident Fund by contributing money ranging from P500 to P2 000 adding that though the money is not enough, it comes from the bottom of their hearts.

“When there is a problem like this, we feel pain like anyone else as we have families and parents which are very important like the bereaved families,” he said.

Mr Nan said although they are originally of Chinese descendants, they stay in Botswana and that their children were born here, their families are here and that they work here and that renders them locals.

He said as Batswana, they found it fit to unite with others in this time of need to give a helping hand to all who were involved in the Matsha tragic accident.

On the other hand, Mr Nan noted that although the CACB was still new in Botswana, they had assisted in the refurbishment of Mogoditshane clinic, donated blankets to villages, issued wheelchairs to those living with diability, assisted shelters for the poor, given to SOS Children’s Village and paid school fees to students as well as donations towards Presidential Housing Appeal for the needy. 

Meanwhile, the donation from the BCTL was received by senior private secretary to the President Brigadier George Tlhalerwa on behalf of the President in Gaborone. 

Brig. Tlhalerwa said the Matsha College tragedy has deprived the country of its future leaders. However, he  commended Batswana for coming together in such difficult times and supported the affected families.  

He noted during the memorial service held in Salajwe, many speakers showed sympathy and unison. Ends