05 May 2016

Kgosi Kagiso Gaofiwe of Kgwatlheng ward in Kanye has applauded Botswana Insurance Holdings Limited (BIHL) for donating a house worth P130 000 to a former employee.

Speaking during the house handover in Kanye, Kgosi Gaofiwe said the donation would restore Ms Banabotlhe Hetolang’s dignity.  

He also thanked President Lt Gen. Dr Seretse Khama Ian Khama for the Presidential Housing Appeal initiative. 

The initiative, he said, had a positive impact on the lives of many unfortunate Batswana.

Kgosi Gaofiwe thus challenged all capable Batswana to help the less fortunate, adding that government alone could not afford to rescue all.

For his part, the housing appeal coordinator Col Duke Masiko expressed delight that the initiative was bearing fruit.

He said 598 houses had been constructed through the initiative since its inception in 2010.

He explained that the initiative was inspired by love and an awareness that government alone could not afford to provide decent housing to every needy Motswana.

Col. Masilo further revealed that the BIHL Group had donated P1.5 million to the initiative to be used to build more houses for the less fortunate citizens. He said that the group recently donated another house in Mokokwana in the Tswapong area.

He said many other lives are being touched during the construction phase of the houses, which are deliberately spread across the country. He said the initiative has so far left footprints in areas like Seronga and Struizendam, among others.

Col Masilo decried that Batswana's social system through which they used to help each other in times of need was fast becoming a thing of the past. He explained that giving is not so much about affluence but love. He further observed that despite making huge profit margins, some companies still do not have a corporate social responsibility thus urged them to emulate the gesture.

For his part, BIHL Group chairman, Maj. Gen. Bakwena Oitsile said the gesture was intended to compliment active government efforts to eradicate abject poverty among Batswana through decent housing.

Major Gen. Oitsile explained that the company saw it fit to assist a former employee who left work in 2005 after losing sight and now going through a rough patch.

He said BIHL aimed to alleviate poverty through economic empowerment, training and education, social welfare services, and recreation, among others.

He shared that the group has built a multipurpose hall worth P2.1 million for the Gamodubu Child Care Trust(CCT) where the beneficiaries would host social events and generate income through the facility.

The Group also sponsored BIHL Professor Thomas Tlou Scholarships for ten students to pursue a Masters programme locally every two years.

Gen. Oitsile further revealed that the group has adopted eight schools and is working on adopting the ninth. 

He said that the group has been donating P200 000 every year to the Maruapula OVC Fund since 2012 towards tuition fees and living costs for needy children.

Ms Hetolang, who was lost for words, said the donation would restore her dignity. ENDS