26 Apr 2016

The Minister of Transport and Communication Mr Tshenolo Mabeo has received 20 bicycles valued around P15 000 donated to benefit Kubung and Lesilakgokong Primary School standard seven pupils traveling long distances to and from schools.

Minister Mabeo handed over the donation to Ms Lesego Masitara on behalf of the Ministry of Education Skills and Development during a kgotla meeting aimed to brief Kubung residents about the anticipated development projects earmarked for the area.  

Mr Mabeo also the Member of Parliament for Thamaga/Kumakwane expressed gratitude over the gesture saying he was optimistic that it would help reduce the distance travelled by students from farming areas to school.

The 20 bicycles donated were part of the 10 that would as well benefit Lesilakgokong school donated by Botswana Institute of Rehabilitation and Integration of Offenders BIRIO, an organisation of ex-convicts under the leadership of Mr Mothei Sejakgomo.

Toiletry from Ministry of Health and reflectors were part of the donation handed over to the two schools.

He challenged teachers and parents as well as village leaders to act responsibly in seeing to it that the donated bicycles were put to good use by ensuring constant monitoring so that they benefited a good number of the needy students as they remained the property of education  and skills development ministry.   

He also made emphasis over the fact that the donation was not meant to substitute the donkey cart previously donated to the school as a mode of transport for children with similar challenges adding that the current donation was specifically for the standard sevens, thus complementing the existing gesture.

On other issues, the minister told the meeting that Thamaga/Kubung road would be tarred under the current financial year through the Economic Stimulus Programme. The completion of the project he said would help improve the economic activities around due to transport availability.

The minister also assured schools in the area of the government’s intention to improve the quality of education through Internet connectivity in their respective schools as well as empowering teachers with relevant skills.

Mr Sejakgomo said they were able to acquire the 30 bicycles from the Ramotswa -based cyclist club, the Bicycle for Humanity of which 10 were handed over to the neighboring Lesilakgokong school on April 22.

The Bicycle for Humanity Botswana Club leader Mr Jeremiah Kokwane, highlighted that they were able to assist BIRIO with the 30 bicycle through a gesture from the US- based mother club the Bicycle for Humanity in Boston. 

He shared minister Mabeo’s sentiment that there should be constant monitoring for proper usage of the donation to benefit the identified group of children and be able to bring good health through exercise and provide transport for children walking distances of four to seven kilometres regularly to and from school.

It was stated that arrangement was made with the education ministry for the donation to remain the school property and benefit students during the term and be kept by schools during holidays.

Meanwhile, the Mogoditshane/Thamaga Sub district chief education officer Ms Lesego Masitara was grateful about the donation and assured the donor that the bicycles would be used wisely to ensure that they did not only benefit the current class of standard seven but future students as well. ENDS