16 Aug 2016

Ambassador Zheng Zhuqiang says the Chinese community in Botswana would continue to supporti charity.
Ambassador Zheng said this on August 13, during the handover of a minibus to the Kanye-based Kgodisong Centre that fends for orphans and vulnerable children.
The minibus was donated by Botswana Chinese Women Association under the auspices of China-Africa People -to-People Friendship Action (CAPPFA).
He said CAPPFA was launched in 2013 to support NGOs and civil organisations from both China and Africa.
Ambassador Zheng said 10 projects had benefited from the dispensation in fields such as education, agriculture, youth empowerment and poverty alleviation among others.
This kind gesture, he said, strengthened the profound and long term friendship that existed between the two nations.
“Our fruitful cooperation in various fields has brought concrete benefits to both our people and further deepened our mutual understanding and friendship,” he said.
The diplomat further shared that Botswana was counted among the most attractive tourist destinations by his countrymen.
He said most of the Chinese people received a warm welcome in Botswana and they called the country their second home.
However, he stressed that with joint efforts; the cordial relations between the two nations would grow to new heights and yield more mutual benefits.
BCWA chairperson, Ms Wang Yali said her organisation was committed to the cause of women and children.
The donation followed Mr Mpho Siele, the chairperson of the Kenneth and Evelyn Siele Foundation’s grueling cross country fundraising bicycle tour that spanned a month.
Guest speaker, Dr Lemogang Kwape described Mr Siele as an epitome of care and compassion. He said the 2000km challenge Mr Siele took had a toll both on his body and soul but had to endure it knowing that he was the difference he wanted to see in the world.
Dr Kwape said Mr Siele, also son of former Minister of Local Government and Rural Development Mr Peter Siele discerned that the fact that he was fortunate to have been raised by a loving family came with a responsibility.
Like any fallible man that ever lived, Mr Siele at some point strayed from his parents and his God knew that his imperfections would be cleansed by the difference he made in other people’s lives.
He said he was particularly happy that Mr Siele who was once enslaved by drugs and alcohol unashamedly raised awareness on the youth to steer clear, conscious of the fact that the future of this generation lied in his hands.
Dr Kwape further thanked BCWA for the noble gesture and encouraged all Batswana to take Mr Siele’s challenge and help him carry the burden of making a difference in this generation adding Mr Siele was not seeking fame.
He said the donation was a culmination of the journey but not the end of his mission.
Kgosi Malope II of Bangwaketse also commended the Chinese community for their benevolence.
He said the Chinese community had also in the recent past de-stumped fields at Kanngwe lands and donated blankets to some residents of Mmamokhasi ward in Kanye.
For his part, former minister and UNICEF advocacy for children’s rights champion, Mr Siele said he was impressed that the donation was directed towards orphans and vulnerable children.
He thanked his son for the insight, God for protecting him every step through the taxing journey and the Chinese community for the donation.
He said he had feared that his son might be attacked by drug and alcohol dealers since part of his mission was to dissuade young Batswana to stay away from habit forming substances.
He furthermore thanked UCCSA for taking care of the less fortunate children and everybody who made the initiative a success.
Her mother, Ms Mothona Siele also shared that the tour gave her sleepless nights.
She said she feared her son would get mauled by lions along the Trans-Kalahari highway and thugs along the A1 down South.
Reverend Keloneilwe Kgerethwa of UCCSA said the donation glorified Christ.
He said God called all Christians to exhibit the love of Christ by assisting those in need.
Meanwhile Siele (Mpho) who was rather overcome by emotion also thanked everybody who made the project successful.
Initially, he said, two other cyclists had promised to accompany him on the tour but decided otherwise on the eleventh hour.
He said one of the car dealers had also promised to provide him with a support vehicle for the journey but never did. Another might- have- been sponsor had also promised to purchase a lighter and more suitable bicycle for the demanding trip but also left him in the lurch, he said.
But, with all this in mind, like a man who wanted to lead the opera, he turned his back on the crowd and faced the choir, which in his mind’s eye was the mission to make a positive impact and leave his footprints in the sands of time.
 Another reality that was very unkind to him was the fact that ‘he is an amateur cyclist and had never tried anything close to the 2000km he was about to bear on a bicycle.’
Although he did not know what good there was for him in the goodbyes, he bade his three children and their mother, Ms Evelyn Siele goodbye, shed a tear to release fears and set out.
Like the Biblical precious stone which the builders rejected, he left without knowing he had the strength to even start.
His elder brother, Mr David Siele did the first 20km with him to send him off and confirm the adage that blood is thicker than water.
He said he was quite alive to the challenges ahead of him but his faith prevailed.
He seemed to have discovered one of nature’s secrets that no worthwhile undertaking was without hassle. ENDS