31 Aug 2016

Assistant Minister of Local Government and Rural Development, Ms Botlogile Tshireletso has implored Botswana Civil Service Pensioners Association (BCSPA) members to continue to work together in implementing their resolutions.

Speaking at the BCSPA 17^th annual general meeting on Monday, Ms Tshireletso expressed gratitude at some of the achievements of the association since it was registered in 1998.

Ms Tshireletso said some of the achievements included the group funeral scheme which started in 2010 and carried benefits of cover ranging from P22 000 to P28 850 and provides a dignified burial for the elders.

She noted that the association was currently formulating the Self Help Fund which would allow members to invest their money and borrow when in need because they were not eligible to borrow money from the bank due to their age.

She encouraged pensioners and elderly people who are not members of BCSPA to join the association in order to enjoy its benefits. 

Ms Tshireletso added that the government had observed that elders in the country faced numerous challenges such as poverty, neglect, low income security and lack of social security as some of them reached their retirement unprepared.

She said to mitigate the challenges; the government provided services and programmes such as food baskets, access to free medical assistance in all government facilities and monthly pension of P330 as old age pension.

 “We acknowledge that older persons are vibrant and more should be done to utilise their wisdom, knowledge and experience for the development of this nation,” she said.

Chairperson of the BCSPA Molepolole branch, Ms Tlhonggadi Ntsima encouraged elders to join it and get involved with members of the community to live a healthier life.  

The AGM was held under the theme, The Welfare of Ederly. ENDS