02 Feb 2017

President Lt Gen. Dr Seretse Khama Ian Khama has officially opened Tonota kgotla shelter.
He also handed over five houses that were built through the Presidential Housing Appeal.
Speaking in Tonota yesterday (February 2), Lt Gen. Dr Khama said dikgotla had always played a role in ensuring peace and tranquility.
He said the political governance found democracy already in existence as a result of the kgotla system.
He said over the years, kgotla had been a place where developments were discussed and even when a member of the community misbehaved the kgotla ensured that he was reprimanded.
Therefore, President Khama called on Batswana to continue to respect culture and uphold the spirit of botho.
The President urged Batswana to exercise botho even when using technology such as social media.
Giving an overview of the shelter, Tonota MP, Mr Thapelo Olopeng said it was built to the tune of P2 million donated by Mr Moffat James, an entrepreneur.
Mr Olopeng said construction of the shelter started in June 2015 and it had a sitting capacity of 1 200, inbuilt public address system, ablution block and Wi-Fi, which was installed by Botswana Communications Regulatory Authority (BOCRA).
The MP, who is also the Minister of Youth Empowerment, Sport and Culture Development, said the installation of Wi-Fi was part of the efforts to encourage the youth to participate in activities held at the kgotla.
He said in addition to the kgotla shelter, Mr James installed an air conditioner in kgosi’s office while Joe’s Electrical donated 300 chairs and Lentswe la Basadi donated 100 chairs.
He said 29 chairs were donated by Malwelamotse regiment.
Mr Olopeng commended the public servants in the village for their team spirit and encouraged them to maintain it to ensure the village’s development.
Tonota Sub-council chairman, retired Colonel Anderson Moalosi said his council built five houses at the tune of P464 000 during the 2015/16 financial year under the Presidential Housing Appeal.
He said four houses were in Tonota and one in Mmandunyane. The sub-council chairman, also Shashe Mooke councillor, commended the President for encouraging people to take care of less privileged members of the community.
Speaking on behalf of the five beneficiaries, Ms Ditsotlhe Kereng thanked the President for always remembering the disadvantaged members of the community.
She encouraged Batswana to utilise other government programmes.ENDS