18 Sep 2016

The North West District Council (NWDC) has handed over four houses built through the help of the Office of the President to four elderly people of Maun.
When speaking at the handing over, Senior Private Secretary to the President, Brigadier George Tlhalerwa said the office of the President (OP) was indebted to the love shown by Batswana who heeded the President’s housing appeal since its inception in 2010.
Brigadier Tlhalerwa said the four houses handed in Maun brought the total of houses built through the help of Batswana individuals or corporates to 647 with 34 houses still under construction.
He noted that the housing appeal came about after the President realised that there were some Batswana who lived under poor conditions therefore appealed to Batswana to assist their fellow citizens.
The Presidential Housing Appeal initiative, he said, was the first of its kind in the world which helped underprivileged people not necessarily those affected by disaster, Brigadier Tlhalerwa said, adding that  this was confirmed by the UN Habitat recently.
He said the initiative was a success because of the involvement of community leaders as the councillors, dikgosi and Village Development Committees (VDCs) who help in identifying the needy members of their community.
 In her remarks, Ms Mogomotsi Seemule from Maun Administration Authority said the council was mandated to assist the underprivileged members of the community therefore the gesture from the Office of the President to assist the four elders in their jurisdiction was worthwhile.
Ms Seemule said the construction of the houses commenced in December 2015 and completed July this year, one house in Moeti ward, Shashe, Gxhabara and Riverside respectively.
She said MAA was grateful to the office of the President for showing compassion by giving the elderly people shelter.
The beneficiaries expressed their gratitude. One of the beneficiaries, Mr Rapodi Sebego who said he had no place to stay thanked the Office of the President and Council.
The NWDC deputy Council Chairman Mr Lathang Molonda observed that the Office of the President has helped with housing in other areas in the region such as Xaixai.
Mr Molonda thanked the government for helping restore dignity of the four families. ENDS