20 Jul 2016

The Assistant Minister for Presidential Affairs and Public Administration, Mr Dikgang Makgalemele, has challenged the Anglican Diocese of Botswana to play a meaningful role in eradicating poverty.

Officially opening the guild conference in Serowe on July 16, Mr Makgalemele urged the church to be exemplary and demonstrate God’s love saying having brotherly love could be a catalyst in the battle against poverty in the country.

“I want this 2016 guilds conference to adopt rationalisation of Luke 10:25-37 as a key resolution. Most will concur that different communities depend on their churches to influence values and principles,” he said.

Mr Makgalemele said the church played an a important role in shaping the individual attributes of respect, kindness, honesty, courage, perseverance, self-discipline, compassion and generosity.

He said its mission statement of responding to human needs through love, passion and service, to seek to transform unjust structures of society and grow the spirit of giving supported his proposed resolution.

The assistant minister said although the Diocesan Guild of Botswana had continuously undertaken corporate social responsibilities, he was adamant that they were capable of more such as contributing to the housing appeal.

 He said government had set December 2017 as the deadline for abject poverty eradication and said the church should also partake in this battle.

Mr Makgalemele commended the guilds for their toiletry donations to the SOS children village made on that day adding that such noble gesture was a testimony of the real value of being Christians.

He said showing compassion for others formed part of their vision aspiration as he encouraged them to uphold such spirit and continue being champions of the poor.

He noted that poor rains were another challenge which led to the President declaring another drought recently.

 The assistant minister said government recognised role played by the church hence government’s decision to continuously consult churches on matters affecting the church and society.

He said it was government’s desire to see churches doing more to address social ills such as moral decay, family break-ups, alcohol and substance abuse, violence against women and children. ENDS