28 Nov 2017

Botswana Oil Company completed and refurbished a one-roomed housed belonging to 99-year-old Ms Mmamoilwe Makwatse of Dikgonnye in the Kgatleng District.

Officially handing over the house to the old woman, the Botswana Oil Company general manager - strategy, Mr Modise Koofhethile said they believe in sharing.

He said one of the goals they had set for themselves was to contribute meaningfully to the communities they operated within.

Mr Koofhethile said as a company that ensures that the country had enough petrol, diesel and paraffin to enable uninterrupted lives on daily basis, their operations impacted everyone’s life.

He therefore said Botswana Oil found it necessary to be part of all communities in Botswana as their Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) policy places emphasis on community development, hence their decision to renovate Ms Makwatse’ s home.

The general manager said the woman was identified through Kgosi and social development community office, and they managed to erect a fence around the yard, plastered the house, fixed the door and window and painted the walls.

Mr Koofhethile said through their CSR programme they would assist Dikgonnye where and when they could, not forgetting other areas around the country as well.

He reminded the gathering that they were constructing a fuel reserve depot at Tshele Hills near Rasesa, which is the biggest in Botswana and they would be associated with the significant national infrastructure.

Ms Makwatse said she was grateful for the help accorded to her by the company as they had secured her life through the windows and the door installation.

She said now that her yard was fenced, passersby would not tresspass as and when they wish.

Ms Makwatse said the company had restored her dignity and she would now sleep in a safe place.

In his welcome remarks, Kgosi Ismael Rakgati of Dikgonnye said he was happy that Botswana Oil had heeded his plea to help the beneficiary after his meeting with them during an event some time ago.

He said he was happy that they had now done it and the old woman would be happy to live in a safe house.

Kgosi Rakgati further said the fencing of the yard would provide security for the woman. BOPA