25 Jun 2013

Selebi Phikwe mayor, Mr Tebogo Matlhogonolo has acknowledged  the Chinese community in Selebi Phikwe for donating food and blankets worth P20 000 to orphans in Botshabelo ward.

Mr Matlhogonolo said the move, done on June 21, is line with Botswana’s national Vision 2016 pillar of being a compassionate and caring nation.

He said the Chinese community showed compassion adding that they have all along helped the needy in the mining town for many years.

“We are grateful to see the Chinese community continuing to show some love and support to the needy. I call on the Selibe Phikwe community and Batswana as a whole to emulate what they have done by showing compassion to orphans and vulnerable children in our community,” he said.

Mr Matlhogonolo said government has a programme in place aimed at taking care of orphans and vulnerable children including destitute people.

Through the programme, he said government provides monthly food rations, clothes and blankets.

He also noted that government has a housing programme aimed at providing houses for the less fortunate.

A representative from the Chinese community, Mr Luo Shaozhong said the move was in line with their corporate social responsibility mandate of helping needy people in society.

Mr Shaozhong said the Chinese community has been donating to needy people in the mining town annually as a sign of their commitment to play a role in uplifting the lives of needy people in Selebi Phikwe.

He said he and his wife invited other Chinese people in Botswana and China to join them to form a committee that would help the underprivileged children in Botswana.

Botshabelo Village Development Committee treasurer, Ms Constance Kemotho explained that the Luo Shaozhong family  and Chinese community started donating to Selebi Phikwe community  in 2009 where they donated sweets and drinks as Christmas present to children in Botshabelo ward.

Ms Kemotho said in 2012 they were given blankets amounting to P13 000 including school bags amounting P7 000. ENDS