10 Jul 2016

The President’s Housing Appeal handed over a two bed-roomed house to Ms Masego Mpho and her family of five in Sefhophe recently. 

The family used to live in a one roomed mud hut with no water or electricity connection.
Handing over the house which was donated by Lobkom Investments, Col. Duke Masilo from the President’s Housing Appeal commended the company for the good gesture, noting that they have played a role in helping provide shelter for the needy. 

He said they have also shown that they were a compassionate and caring company, and that they have fulfilled the Vision 2016 pillar “to be a compassionate and caring nation.”
He urged other Batswana and companies to emulate what Lobkom Investments has done to provide shelter for those in need around the country. 

He said companies should give back to communities within which they operate as much was still needed to provide houses for those in need.
He also commend all those that have contributed to the President’s Housing Appeal, noting that since the inception of the programme 612 houses have been donated to the less privileged around the country.
He said it was a challenge for the government alone to build houses for needy families, and called on everyone who has the capability to contribute. 

He said the spirit of self reliance and taking care of each other should be revitalised. He noted that the University of Botswana was built by Batswana with each family contributing a beast, adding that the same spirit should be emulated by citizens. 

For his part, Mr Baemedi Bareeleng from Lobkom Investments said they felt obliged to give back to the community in which they operated, adding that they made Sefhophe their base when they were contracted to build the tarred road from Sefhophe to Seolwane.
He said their company liaised with the village leadership and the Bobirwa Sub district Social and Community Development office. 

He said Ms Mpho and her family were chosen by the company to be the beneficiaries of the house donation.
He said besides the construction of the house and fencing of the yard which cost around P150 000, they also provided funding for water and electricity connection at the new homestead. He added that they also furnished the two bedrooms, sitting room and kitchen of the house, and paid for Ms Mpho’s family to get groceries worth P600 at Save Rite in Sefhophe for a period of 12 months. ENDS