16 Jun 2013

Government has donated a wheelchair to a 97-year-old resident of Block 9 in Gaborone.

When handing over the wheelchair, Minister for Presidential Affairs and Public Administration, Mr Mokgweetsi Masisi said this was a gift from government. In 2009, he noted, President Lt Gen. Seretse Khama Ian Khama said all disadvantaged people must be brought to the mainstream economy.

President Khama established an office through which people living with disabilities, old aged people and those living in poverty received assistance.

The minister said it was in this regard that they responded to a request made by Mr Raphael Sikwane. Mr Sikwane made the plea to the Office of the President after realising that his neighbour, Ms Falitah Matshameko needed a wheelchair as she could not walk. 

Minister Masisi said government called for every Motswana to assist fellow citizens regardless of where they were or where they came from.

For her part, Ms Matshameko thanked the minister and Office of the President saying the gift was highly welcome as she was not able to move around. She said her prayers were answered as for a long time she had been crawling which resulted with painful hands and knees. ENDS