23 Nov 2017

Maun Administrative Authority senior assistant council secretary, Ms Mogomotsi Seemule has commended private companies for coming forth to complement government efforts towards assisting the needy and vulnerable society.

Ms Seemule said government was committed to the improvement of social protection through a number of assistance programmes among others destitute, orphan, old age support, the needy society, people living with disability and Rural Area Dwellers.

She made the remarks during a handing over ceremony where Bolux Group donated food hampers worth over P35 000 to 10 disadvantaged individuals in Shashe ward in Maun.

The communities who graced the occasion also had an early Christmas as every individual was given a bag of maize meal.

Ms Seemule noted that while the available programmes were meant to cushion the beneficiaries so that they lived dignified lives, the council was challenged to take care of all people who were less privileged.

To date, she revealed that the sub-district had recorded 6 943 destitute persons who were assisted under different programmes.

“This is a big number and it is a challenge as more beneficiaries were in the waiting list to be registered. We really appreciate efforts made by Bolux to take us half way by extending a helping hand especially to those not registered,” she added.

The senior assistant council secretary observed that the donation was a sign that the company showed concern about the well-being of the less fortunate society.

She said food was an essential part of everyone’ lives noting that acute hunger was life threatening.

Food gives people the energy and nutrients to grow and develop, be healthy and productive, she added.

The chairperson of Social and Community Development (S&CD) committee, Mr Gaokgakala Letswee thanked Bolux for extending a helping hand to restoring dignity amongst the needy people.

He said government alone could not manage hence the need for partnership with the private sector.

He said the donation was an indication of commitment and their heart willing to serve and planting back to the community.

For her part, Bolux marketing manager, Ms Doreen Oabile explained that as part of their corporate social responsibility (CRS), the company felt obliged to give back to the communities they served.

She said when they reviewed their sales, they realised that the company was enjoying a great support from residents of Maun hence they decided to give back to residents of Shashe ward to appreciate the incredible support they gave to the company by purchasing its products.

She said they worked well with S&CD officials to identify the beneficiaries as they targeted disadvantaged members of society not under government’s social safety net.

Ms Oabile said the donation marked the beginning of partnership with Maun residents and urged the council management to feel free to knock on their doors if need arose. ENDS