10 May 2017

Parents have been implored to spend time with their children to understand and give them audience and share ideas as a way of showing love and care.

Speaking at the initiative of 50 + 1 Minutes with Children in Leshibitse on May 9, Minister of Nationality, Immigration and Gender Affairs Mr Edwin Batshu said parents played a critical role in the upbringing of children.

Mr Batshu said every child deserved the right to be taken care of, nurtured to grow up and become a responsible citizen of Botswana.

He said no matter the challenges that may arise, love and care must be given to children without second thoughts as they were the country’s future leaders.

“This marks a very special day for us at the ministry as we have decided to show love and care to the population of youngsters who have bright future ahead of them. They then must be shown the way and be disciplined if need be to help mould them understand the importance of education.”

Minister Batshu further said since the 50th independence anniversary last year, many things were learnt during the celebrations and government decided that it was time to give focus and priority to children.

He said children should not be denied education and thus urged all parents to take it upon themselves to ensure children went to school because education was the key to a bright future.

He added that in the olden days, children would gather around the fire listening to their parents telling stories.

“It was through that process that their dreams were shaped and many hold different positions in government today,” he said.

Minister Batshu said Botswana was a blessed country that continued to enjoy peace and the same peace should be found in homes where children grew because it was important for them.

Giving objectives of the day, the permanent secretary in the immigration and gender affairs ministry, Ms Banny Molosiwa said the initiative which was begun by UNICEF gave them an opportunity to spend time with children especially that they had wanted to visit the village last year.

She encouraged parents to spend time with their children as it helped build a good relationship and made it easier for children to speak their mind as it actually helped them grow and share their fears.

In his welcome remarks, Kgosi George Thwane of Artesia called on parents to take responsibility of raising their children in a manner that accorded them a better future.

After the meeting, Minister Batshu went to the primary school where he spent time with the standard fives, sixes and sevens and encouraged them to take their education seriously. ENDS