17 Apr 2016

The Vice President Mr Mokgweetsi Masisi has commended Batswana for the spirit of compassion which they have consistently exhibited over the years.

In his speech during the handing-over of a house to the children of the late Constable Focus Isaiah who lost his life during a shoot-out with armed robbers in Kanye , Vice President Masisi noted that Batswana’s spirit of compassion had over the years served to set them apart from other nations.

He said it was upon this spirit that the Vision 2016 pillar of a compassionate, just and caring nation was premised.

In addition, Mr Masisi, who is also the MP for Moshupa/Manyana constituency pointed out that even the Presidential Housing Appeal, was born out of President Lieutenant General Dr. Seretse Khama Ian Khama’s desire to further inculcate the importance of carrying at heart the best interests of fellow citizens by the people of Botswana.

Highlighting the successes of the initiative, he indicated that so far a total of 594 houses had been built through the Presidential Housing Appeal.

He stated in addition that presently 60 houses were under construction; a move that he said would add onto the growing numbers of beneficiaries who had been assisted under the same initiative.

Commending the nation for the success of the housing appeal, Mr Masisi said such was evidence that Batswana were capable of achieving a lot through the spirit of self-reliance; something he said had been brought to the fore when Batswana joined hands to establish and successfully build the University of Botswana.

Paying tribute to the late Cst. Isaiah, the Vice President said the fallen police officer was a highly dedicated member of the Botswana Police Service (BPS).

The fact that Constable Isaiah had died during the execution of his policing duties was proof of his sacrificial spirit, Vice President Masisi said; further imploring Batswana not to take such acts for granted.

Giving an overview of the project earlier, the chairperson of the Southern District Council Mr Mephato Reatile said the project had come about following the request by the late Cst. Isaiah’s family for well-wishers to build his children a house.

Mr Reatile said taking into consideration the circumstances under which the late police officer died, the leadership of the Southern District and the police in Kanye where he was based at the time of his death embraced the family’s request and embarked on the project.

For his part, the deputy commissioner of Police – operations, Mr Bruno Paledi noted that the collaboration between the police and the council showed that Batswana could go far in attaining their dreams. ENDS