22 Mar 2016

The Minister of Lands and Housing, Mr Prince Maele has commended Letshego and Botswana Mine Workers Union (BMWU) for instilling a sense of dignity among the Xhanae family through the provision of shelter.

Minister Maele said this during a house handover in Letlhakane, stating that the importance of shelter could not be over-emphasised against the backdrop that without shelter, someone’s dignity and productivity was affected.

He said the house which was built at a cost of P105 000, was a welcome development as the government alone could not afford to provide shelter for the needy country wide.

He noted that the two organisations have heeded the President’s Housing Appeal for the needy and their efforts were worthy of praise as they were in pursuance of the Vision 2016 pillar of a compassionate, just and caring nation.

Mr Maele explained that the Xhanae family was allocated the plot under special dispensation, and  that all plots under special dispensation were only transferable after 15 years.

He implored the beneficiaries who are three siblings to take care of the house and enjoy staying in it.

He further noted that 583 houses were completed through the housing appeal and that 60 houses were under construction.

The government, he said, was planning to build 4 481 houses through the Economic Stimulus Programme (ESP),  adding that some would be built through the turnkey programme and SHHA.

He commended Letshego’s corporate and social responsibility programme, noting that their contribution was massive and noticeable citing such projects as the mobile kitchen geared towards empowering Batswana, ‘win a house competition’ which was worth P1.1 billion.

Letshego had pledged to build six more houses for Batswana.

The chief executive officer of Letshego, Mr Frederick Mmelesi implored beneficiaries to take pleasure in ensuring that the house remains intact and in a good state for many years. He also pledged basic furniture for the house.

Mr Desmond Seomeng, who is BMWU president, said they were compelled to build a house for the Xhanae family as they did not have any shelter.  They partnered with Letshego and liaised with the relevant authorities to facilitate measures of securing them a shelter including provision of a plot. Ends