05 Mar 2018

President Lt Gen. Dr Seretse Khama Ian Khama on March 2 visited Ditshukudu in Kweneng District where he hosted  a soup kitchen for the elderly and destitute persons.

However, residents used the opportunity to bid the President farewell as he steps down from the presidency end of this month after serving his Constitutionally-provided two terms in office.

They gave him some P2  400, three goats, two sheep and 21 chickens, among others.

Addressing the residents, President Khama said he would continue serving the country especially helping those who were in need beyond his presidency.

He said the initiatives he started when he took over the presidency were done with good intentions of uplifting the lives of Batswana.

He said government would address shortage of accommodation for public officers through the Economic Stimulus Programme.

This followed concerns by Kgosi Goitseone Kokole of Ditshukudu regarding shortage of accommodation for public officers in her village.

On other development issues, President Khama said the tarring of the gravel road that connected Lentsweletau-Ditshukudu-Mahetlwe and Molepolole would be consired with other national development needs.

However, he added that there were some factors looked into in deciding if a road was eligible to be tarred.

In the meantime, he said, regular grading of the road should be done.

Kgosi Kokole had pleaded with the President to consider tarring the gravel road saying it would reduce the distance travelled by residents while at the same time bringing about easy access to public transport.

Earlier on when welcoming President Khama to Ditshukudu, Kgosi Kokole highlighted the notable developments in her village among others the tribal offices, primary school as well as the clinic.

She commended the President for inititating programmes such as housing for destitute  persons and the Poverty Eradication Programme which she said her village had benefited from.

On issues of education, Kgosi Kokole said Ditshukudu Primary School had an impressive pass rate despite challenges of shortage of classrooms which had led to the kitchen being turned into a makeshift classroom.

She said in the 2017 PSLE, the school attained 100 per cent pass rate all to the efforts of teachers who went an extra mile by assisting with their own transport those pupils who walked six kilometres to school. 

President Khama gave residents 50 blankets, food hampers, Bibles and football kits. ENDS