14 Nov 2017

As President Lt Gen. Dr Seretse Khama Ian Khama prepares for retirement after serving two terms, the seed he planted of love, compassion and caring for fellow citizens by giving them decent houses through the President’s Housing Appeal continues to uplift the lives of Batswana.

On Wednesday, Senior Private Secretary to the President, Brigadier George Tlhalerwa on behalf of President Khama handed over nine more houses to beneficiaries in Mmadinare, Tobane, Mogapinyana and Diloro in the Mmadinare constituency as well as Moletemane in the Bobirwa constituency. 

The nine buildings increased the number of houses given to families through the housing appeal to 782. 

At the time of handing over the houses, 14 more houses were still under construction and more pledges were still being made.

Giving remarks at a ceremony held to hand over three houses in Mmadinare, one each in Tobane, Diloro and Mogapinyana, Assistant Minister of Youth Empowerment, Sport and Culture Development, Mr Kefentse Mzwinila, who is also Member of Parliament for Mmadinare constituency, thanked President Khama for introducing the housing appeal.

He said the initiative has and continues to uplift the lives of many families by giving them decent houses. 

He noted that through the initiative, many citizen’s dignity had been restored since they now had a roof over their heads.

He said President Khama’s introduction of the housing appeal started of as an idea, but has now become a full-fledged programme aimed at housing those in need. 

He said the idea demonstrated that President Khama has love and compassion for fellow citizens and that he wanted to see Batswana live decent and dignified lives.

He noted that giving dignity to Batswana by uplifting their lives was not the only principle President Khama had put in place, but that he also promoted democracy and bringing developments  to people.

 He added that looking at the development aspect, President Khama ensured that developments intended for Batswana were delivered accordingly. 

He explained that all this constituted the principles of the fours D’s which stand for dignity, democracy, development and delivery which President Khama introduced as one of the core principles that he used to render services to Batswana as President.

He thanked all those who contributed to the housing appeal, including the managing director of SaveRite Supermarket in Mmadinare, Mr Katredy Yesu Udayakumar for building a house for a family in Mmadinare, noting that besides the house he built, Mr Udayakumar also donated in kind many times and played a role in community developments in the village. 

Brigadier Tlhalerwa said by introducing the housing appeal, President Khama rekindled the spirit of compassion, love and caring for fellow Batswana which was imbedded in Setswana culture.

He said so far 782 houses had been given to Batswana, and that more Batswana and private organisations in the country were continuing to contribute towards the initiative.

He said in due time, the number would reach 1 000 donated houses through the President’s Housing Appeal. 

He acknowledged churches, dikgosi, village development committees, social workers, civil servants and the public for making the initiative possible.

He thanked all that have contributed to the programme and urged fellow citizens, citizen companies and other private entities to continue to play a role in the good gesture. Brigadier Tlhalerwa also commended citizens who provided free labour in the construction of a house in Moletemane. 

He also handed over letters of appreciation to them and those who contributed towards the housing appeal project.

For her part, senior assistant council secretary in Bobirwa Sub-district, Ms Gomolemo Moepeng said the local authority was always ready to ensure that construction of the houses took place accordingly.

Meanwhile, beneficiaries of the houses who included Ms Thusano Bopadile, Ms Segomotso Sejaja, Ms Tiragalo Tlotlanang from Mmadinare, Ms  Seikaneng Kokwana from Tobane and Ms Simarama Malokwane from Mogapinyana as well as Ms Thatagolo Keonnetseng from Diloro thanked President Khama for the houses and all those who contributed to build the houses.

Ms Keboreketswe Molwatsi, Ms Mokgadi Ngwako as well as Ms Khumanego Baseki from Moletemane also expressed gratitude for the houses handed to them.

The official handing over of the houses to beneficiaries in Mmadinare constituency was attended by Kgosi Galeage Holland of Mmadinare, Kgosi Nametso Motlhasedi of Tobane and other dignitaries.

In Moletemane where three houses were handed over to beneficiaries, Kgosi Boitumelo Garegae of Moletemane, VDC members, senior government officials and residents of the village who contributed towards the housing project and guests attended the event. BOPA