05 Dec 2016

Minister of Nationality, Immigration and Gender Affairs, Mr Edwin Batshu, various churches, residents of Manyana conducted HIV/AIDS candlelight commemoration at Manyana kgotla recently.

Different churches gathered at the kgotla to pray against, suicide, gender based violence, alcohol abuse, road accidents, HIV/AIDS as well as praying for rain.    

Minister Batshu said everyone should play their part in the fight against the disease, adding  prayer was a time when individuals, families and communities got together to seek the face of God.

“I urge the church to unite in raising prayers to the Almighty with one voice for God to heal Botswana. Time has come for the church to raise people of integrity in this country, who can be role models to our youth and the nation,’’ he said.

He said due to HIV and AIDS deaths, people need to change behaviour and turn to God in order to fight HIV/AIDS, adding that there is need to pray to God and listen to his instruction.

He said the church was expected to play a leadership role in the fight against HIV because it had more authority to direct the nation towards healthy living and achievement of good moral behaviour.

“HIV prevention is still a serious challenge to individuals, families, societies and the government as we still notice new infections each year, particularly among young people and females,” he said.

He said it was imperative that Batswana leave no stone unturned in coming up with interventions that could make a difference.

“Remember that each one of us is the window of hope in the fight against HIV/AIDS, each one of us must do our part to the best of our ability, let’s keep the light on HIV,” he said.

Concerning male suicide the minister said the country is concerned about killings of love partners and gender based violence. He urged husbands and wives to love each other.

He said Botswana is a peaceful country which needs to be loved and conserved adding that  the National Anthem song has got good messages which need to be respected. Children should respect elders also. “Men should wake up and women stand up’.

However, Kgosi Kebinatswene Mosielele said youth are the ones causing problems because they kill and commit suicide, adding that Setswana culture is eroded and appealed to elders to revive culture and mould their children.

The kgosi said Batswana should start initiation schools, which is Bogwera and Bojale. He said they help to mould young men and girls to know the norms and values of Setswana.

Official from Botswana Network for Mental Health, Ms Charity Kennedy said the reason why most men commit suicide is because they don’t speak out their problems, because they fear that women will perceive them as weak.

She said women abuse men emotionally while men do it physically. She said such things affect men mentally and ended up committing suicide. The main objective of the commemoration was to raise awareness on HIV/AIDS, stand in solidarity with those living with HIV/AIDS, and those who lost their lives or the lives of their loved ones due to the virus. ENDS