10 Apr 2016

De Beers Group of Companies in partnership with the Ministry of Education and Skills Development have come up with a development programme for students who survived the Matsha College tragedy that saw some students losing their lives in a car accident last year.

When speaking to the members of the media on Friday in Gaborone, Minister of Education and Skills Development Dr Unity Dow said ever since the Matsha tragedy, individuals, companies and government ministries have shown massive support towards the students.

She commended the De Beers group for assisting the students beyond giving out money, adding that the programme will enable the students to discover themselves and acquire hope at the end of it.

The executive vice president of De beers Group of Companies Mr Paul Rowley said the purpose of the programme is to empower survivors of the accident with life and vocational skills in preparation for higher education.

He said they have agreed with the ministry as the programme has been designed as a medium to long term solution that could assist the survivors of Matsha College to get their lives back, building on the psycho-social support and medical assistance they are currently receiving from the government.

He said part of the programme includes rehabilitation, healing, building the students’ confidence among others to empower the students to the next stage of life.

Mr Rowley noted that the programme commenced on the first of April and it will run until end of June at Molepolole College of Education. 

This programme, he said will be officially launched in Molepolole on April 29. 

He said their principles are underlined by the desire to see all Batswana prosper, and no one should be denied the opportunity to achieve their dreams because of unfortunate circumstances such as this tragedy, therefore they found it fit to offer something of such kind. Ends