17 Dec 2017

President Lt Gen. Dr Seretse Khama Ian Khama has assured Khawa residents that the Khawa Dune Challenge will continue even after his departure from office next year.

The Khawa Dune Challenge, an annual sporting challenge that involves quad and motor bikes, gained popularity during President Khama’s reign. The President participated in all the annual competitions and never came back empty handed.

From his comments at a kgotla meeting in Khawa  on December 16, President Khama will continue to feature in the annual festival. He said this during the handing over of Christmas hampers.

He said he hoped his successor would not abandon the event because it served as one of community activities that the country could tap into to promote its tourism sector.

“I am hopeful that my successor Mr Mokgweetsi Masisi will also ensure that he gives the event the green light,” he said.

President Khama also told residents that upon his retirement he would continue to lend a helping hand in different community projects.

Meanwhile, President Khama gave residents an early Christmas present as he donated 88 blankets, food hampers, Bibles, 20 chairs and snacks for children.

In his welcome remarks, Kgosi Piet Manyoro lauded President Khama for his leadership and the endless love he had for his citizens.

He said during his 10 years in office as the country’s leader, he had proven to be committed and dedicated to improving the lives of the less privileged.

 Kgosi Manyoro noted that their village used to be among the hardest hit by water shortage, and commended President Khama for addressing the water crisis promptly. 

Furthermore, he applauded government programmes that were meant to uplift the lives of the less privileged.

He added that Khawa residents had benefitted from programmes such as ISPAAD, destitute houses and many others.

However, he decried the poor academic performance of pupils and the bad state of the road that impeded movement between villages and prayed for it to be tarred.

In response, President Khama agreed that academic performance remained a concern, but assured residents that he would assign a team to the school to assess and provide interventions to improve academic performance.

He also added that parental involvement could not be over emphasised, saying parents should participate in their children’s studies.

 On other issues, he said there were no plans to tar the road that connects Khawa to other villages due to the low traffic volumes in the area.

“The construction of a tarred road is determined by high volumes of traffic,” he said, noting that “a one km road costs P6 million. He added that the scope of work to be done in their village would cost government about P504 million for the 84 km road.

He added that relevant authorities should ensure proper and regular maintenance of the gravel road.

In his closing remarks, assistant council chairperson for Tsabong District Council, Mr Phillipius Morerwa said there was a lot to tell about President Khama.

He said President Khama had displayed remarkable leadership skills during his term in office. He also commended President Khama for being compassionate towards the less privileged and ensuring that they lived dignified lives.

“You are more of a father, a leader amongst leaders,” he said. BOPA