11 Aug 2016

All roads lead to Kagisong Centre in Mogoditshane over the weekend where Botswana Council of Churches (BCC) will be celebrating 50 years of existence.

Giving a brief background of BCC at a press briefing in Mogoditshane on Tuesday, the general secretary  Rev. Mosweu Simane, said  the golden jubilee celebrations would highlight the church’s contribution from pre-independence Botswana to date.  

He also said the celebrations would create space to share some testimonies of the achievements of the church in shaping the history of Botswana in areas such as the role of the church in rural development; democracy and justice.

Rev. Simane further highlighted that on the occasion, a pastoral letter to the nation will be officially launched on Sunday.  

The pastoral letter, he said, shared insights on Botswana reflecting on the journey thus far  and into the future.  

He also highlighted that BCC, as one of the first borns of this country’s democracy, following its establishment on the 21st of May 1966, it would continue to take its rightful place in the development agenda of Botswana.

When outlining the role of the church Mr  David Modiega said the church had been instrumental in the development of this country, adding that Botswana had always been an island of peace.  

Coming to think of it, he said it is surprising how “we have never been conflicted by war or struggle or felt pain.” 

He nevertheless pointed out the role that the first five churches that formed BCC have contributed immensely in various community activieties.  

He cited that in the area of health, at the time of their inception, churches established clinics and hospitals in order to fight a variety of diseases that affected the people.

He mentioned that hospitals such as Bamalete Lutherun  hospital in Ramotswa, the Seventh Day Adventist hospital in Kanye, Deborah Relief Memorial hospital in Mochudi, Scottish Livingstone hospital in Molepolole and the Catholic clinic at Ramotswa were established through the initiative of the churches.

In the area of formal education, he said that churches have been in the forefront of providing quality education to Batswana through mission schools such as Mater Spei, St. Joseph’s College, Moeding College among others.

Mr Modiega has also cited  that services such as provision of potable water have been provided to communities in rural areas. Ends