22 Aug 2016

Lobatse Deputy Mayor, Francis Mokwena has hailed sport and physical education commitment agreed between Botswana Prisons Service (BPS) and Namibia Correctional Services (NCS).

Officiating during the 5th bilateral games held between BPS and NCS at Lobatse Sports Complex over the weekend, Mokwena said their engagement in sport was meant to nurture and solidify the relationship between the two institutions.

However, he said the engagement does not only benefit the two departments, but it was a big opportunity, as it cement the already existing cordial relationship that dates back to many years between the two countries.

Mokwena stressed that the relationship started during the liberation struggle when Namibia was under the rulership of the Germans 

He said Namibia was amongst those countries who joined the struggle and fought for their independence saying that some of the liberation struggle soldiers operated  from neighbouring African countries.

He said Lobatse, Francistown and some parts of the country provided refugees to such freedom fighters.

He said the two government saw it fit that, the two sister departments engage in bilateral encounters to continue nurture the solid relationships through different kinds of activities that extended to exchanges in professional correctional matters.

He noted that two months back, BPS had just returned from benchmarking on offender case management from NCS.

Mokwena further said sport was vital in today's life, as it was full of life lessons that could  teach an individual about failure, joy disappointment, winning and losing.

He said it also teaches about maturity, teamwork, humility and disciple.

He implored all participants, to interact with other officers to share work experiences and how best they could perform their duties.

Earlier in her welcome remarks, BPS deputy commissioner-corporate Services, Keneilwe Bogosing said games helps to mould and cement the cordial relationships as neighbouring countries.

She said the engagement in games from both countries had contributed immensely for their officers as they were able to explore other neighbouring countries and embrace their cultures and lifestyles. Ends