15 Jan 2017

President Lt Gen. Dr Seretse Khama Ian Khama brought smiles and jubilation on the faces of the residents of the usually quiet village of Qangwa in the Okavango District as he donated food hampers and sweets to the underprivileged on Saturday (January 14).

The move, which the President also use to interact and give to the needy members of the society, had been hailed as successful as it is appreciated by communities.

This programme, according to the Minister of Youth Empowerment, Sport and Culture Development, Mr Thapelo Olopeng, was going well and would continue even after the President’s term ended.

He explained in an interview that President Khama carried out this task because he was a caring and compassionate man who had the interest of the needy at heart, not because of the position he held in the society.

“President Khama had long started giving to the society even before he became the President and I believe when he completes his term come next year he would continue this move,” observed Mr Olopeng who is also the MP for Tonota

“As leaders we must also take queue and emulate the President by taking care of the needy,” he further quipped.

On other issues Mr Olopeng said his ministry was planning to formulate youth empowerment programmes based on the need and the location of the young people. “We want to move away from the one size fit all mentality,” he said.

For instance he said it was not worthwhile to assist a young person from Qangwa to open and operate a wholesale in the village because of its small population.

Instead the minister said a project like livestock rearing would make economic sense given the vast land in the area. 

Mr Olopeng said instead of 20 goats given to the young people under the empowerment, young people in Qangwa would be allocated more goats since the project was suitable in the area.

He also appreciated that people from places like Qangwa were talented in crafting and he therefore said had he instructed his ministry staff to buy these crafts as a way of creating market for them. 

The minister said the move would encourage the young people to continue their forefathers’ legacy regarding this business.

He further encouraged the youth to  contact his ministry and suggest suitable programmes that could be successful. 

“We do not want to impose, they must tell us their needs so that we could craft these programmes basing on them,” he explained.

Meanwhile, Batawana chief representative Kgosi Kgwebane Ledimo also praised President Khama for his persistent visit to the people regardless of where they were. 

He expressed the need for leaders to interact with people they led especially those that were in rural areas.

President Khama who was also accompanied by the Minister of Environment, Natural Resources Conservation and Tourism, Mr Tshekedi Khama, sat among the people of Qangwa and watched a thrilling football encounter between Qangwa 11 and Soldiers. BOPA