10 Jun 2013

Residents of Ikageleng and Botshabelo wards in Selebi Phikwe East Constituency thronged the streets to meet President Lt Gen. Seretse Khama Ian Khama on his walk-about on June 8.

The President met residents along the streets and visited some in their homes.

The main purpose of the walk-about was to meet Batswana face to face, greet them and also hold conversations with them to find out how they were coping with life and the challenges they faced daily.

The President was accompanied by MP for Selebi Phikwe East and also Minister of Transport and Communications, Mr Nonofo Molefhi, Minister of Labour of Home Affairs, Mr Peter Siele, Selebi Phikwe mayor, Mr Tebogo Matlhogonolo and the town clerk, Mr Mompati Seleka among other dignitaries.

The walk-about started at Ikageleng ward and continued to Botshabelo ward where many residents of all ages including children, youth and the elderly met him with praises and ululations.

Some cried when they met him and narrated the challenges they faced when requesting for services.

At Ikageleng ward, a resident Ms Annah Manyeme commended President Khama and his government for introducing the ISPAAD programme.

She said through the programme, she managed to produce a lot of water melons from her field located at Mowana near Selebi Phikwe.

She informed the President that she had made good money to sustain her life by selling her produce to individuals and supplying some schools in the mining town. She also gave him one of her water melons.

President Khama also met some Zimbabwean nationals, Mr Edison Ndlovu and Mr Titose Jephris and had a chat with them. The duo told the President that they had passports and were in Botswana legally seeking a better life. They said they were unemployed and looking for jobs.

Mr Jephris told President Khama that although they were unemployed, they preferred to be in Botswana than Zimbabwe because living in this country was better.

Meanwhile, a youth, Ms Samarea Tantsidi expressed concern that since she applied for the Back- to-School programme she had never received any response and requested assistance.

Ms Bokang Dilake requested a caravan to use as a salon in her neighbourhood. She said she earned a living by plaiting people’s hair under a tree at her homestead or had to go to her customers’ homes to render her services. President Khama also visited tuckshops in Ikageleng ward where he bought ‘monster pops’ and chips for the many children who came to meet him.

At Botshabelo ward many children who were near Ms Kanego Ngwako’s yard were also given oranges bought by the President from her. Ms Ngwako, who had a truck full of oranges, told him that she made a living by purchasing the oranges at Seleka farms in the Tswapong area for sale in Selebi Phikwe.

President Khama also gave blankets to the elderly. ENDS