10 Nov 2016

President Lt Gen. Dr  Seretse Khama Ian Khama’s  calls to build houses for the needy has received overwhelming support, according to Presidential Housing Appeal board member, Colonel Duke Masilo.

Speaking at an event to donate a two bed roomed in Thamaga on Wednesday (November 9), he said the housing appeal initiative was delivering a 650 housing unit with 32 more completed and still awaiting to be given to beneficiaries.

He said the initiative had aroused spirit of giving and self-reliance among Batswana, business community and NGOs feeling obliged to care for the needy as espoused in the national visions and in the process 38 houses are under construction across the country to house even more needy members of the society.

Mr Masilo said the housing appeal initiative was a welcome development as companies and other able stakeholders have committed to assisting Botswana government to provide accommodation to house the needy, whereas in other countries nationals look solely up to government as a provider of accommodation.

Speaking on behalf of the bank, Botswana Savings Bank (BSB) CEO Mr Boikhutso Tekane said it's been an exciting for BSB team to be given an opportunity to partake in uplifting the life of fellow human and giving dignity by constructing a shelter.

He said though the opportunity to build the house could have gone to any company, the request was accorded to them maybe because the people believed in BSB to deliver, and as such the bank felt duty bound to participate in the project.

Mr Tekane said the house is the third they have built in response to the country's president calls to all to leave the ideals of national vision by participating in giving dignity to the less fortunate members of the society by building house units.

He said as a public bank they felt obliged to plough back to the community by presenting a Bot 50 gift to the family of Ms Bonang Kasamo in the form of a two bed roomed house with basic utilities, and pledged that BSB will continue to partake in future projects aiming at changing lives of Batswana.

The beneficiary 43-year-old Ms Kasamo said she was delighted to now have a place to call home, which will not only provide roof over her family, but will as well a place where her school going kids will freely grow, and that they will forever cherish the coming of BOT50 which changed their lives for better.

In closing area MP Mr Tshenolo Mabeo said the Thamaga/Kumakwane has been lucky receiving three housing units in a week, which meant that another three less fortunate members of the constituency have a place to look after their family in.

He said the house donation by BSB was a challenge to all to emulate to help fellow societal members and encouraged residents not to only look up to companies or NGOs to build such houses, but individually they should be able to replicate what BSB has done.

Mr Mabeo commended Presidential Housing Appeal for not only providing shelter, but also ensuring that less fortunate members of the society led dignified lives with a roof over their head.  

He said BSB services of such as banking has been for a long time helped even the remotest communities bank easily where other commercial banks are not available.
ENDS