23 May 2016

The Acting Minister for Presidential Affairs and Public Administration, Mr Dikgang Makgalemele has commended the Lions Club International members for their service to humanity.

Addressing the club members at the changeover of presidents’ dinner on Saturday at Adansonia hotel, he encouraged the newly elected presidents to continue working hard as their club has been truly inspiring; serving as a beacon of hope for people across the globe.

Mr Makgalemele said in Botswana, Lions Club has over the years served as a catalyst to galvanise action and servitude to the less fortunate, something they should continue striving for even in other countries.

“Your footprints as Lions is everywhere across the societies in over 200 countries, in hospitals and regions affected by natural disasters and in schools, you are doing commendable volunteerism, there can never be a higher calling and we applaud you for that,” he added.

Mr Makgalemele said part of his ministry’s responsibility include disaster management  through the  National Disaster Management Office  and they had received Lions Club’s assistance  through emergency  grants especially during floods.

He added that Botswana had also benefitted from the Lions through the various projects they had initiated saying that such community partnerships formed the mainstay of the existence and prosperity as a nation.

The past district governor Lions, Dr Veera Sayana said the presidents of clubs changed annually in order to bring new ideas and innovations to the club so that they could be able to meet the needs of the local and global communities.

Upon presenting the incoming presidents, Dr Sayana wished the incoming presidents luck and encouraged them to use their power to change people’s lives positively and continue with the spirit of commendable service.

He further encouraged the youth who are not in the club to join the club as they have a lot of  energy, creativity and drive .

The club has 1.4 million members in 45 000 clubs worldwide .

When giving a brief report, the outgoing president, Tati Lions Club, Ms Martha Mothibi  said  they had a stormy year as most of their members who were at the Francistown College of Technical and Vocational Education (FCTVE) were transferred to other places but against all odds they persevered in other projects as they  managed to do the tree planting at Tatisiding primary school and started the reading action plan at Montsamaisa junior secondary school. ENDS