07 Mar 2016

Churches are critical partners in the fight against social ills such as alcoholism and crime, says Vice President, Mr Mokgweetsi Masisi.

 He said the government would, therefore, continue to support churches in their efforts towards nation building.

Speaking during a joint church service in Gaphatshwa on Sunday, he said because of the role of the church in society, the government continues to respect freedom of worship as enshrined in the constitution. 

He said without tempering with the freedom to worship, the government’s role was to facilitate and ensure that Batswana, despite their diverse religious beliefs, freely practice religion without fear of persecution from the state. He said in the past some church denominations were forced to flee because some tribal rulers were against their beliefs, but that now freedom of belief was protected by the constitution. 

Vice President Masisi expressed hope that the joint service was the beginning of new things to come. 

He said churches have for long been characterised by breakups due to internal infighting leading to the mushrooming of churches.

He pleaded with churches to join the government in preaching about the dangers posed by HIV/AIDS, and that there was still no cure for the disease. He said contracting HIV/ADS deliberately and later turning to prayer would not help, and implored churches to encourage their members to engage in healthy sex using condoms.

He said the over 50 churches operating in Mmopane were  too much for a small village, and that they presented a challenge to the government in terms of providing land needed as a place of worship. He also noted that the situation was all over country.

Mr Masisi, however, said the government  appreciates churches in Botswana as critical partners in combating poverty, reducing crime and moulding good societal moral behaviors.

On other issues, he said  the country was reeling from a devastating drought. He said because of poor rains farming was not doing well.  Ends