15 Apr 2018

A 16-year-old Thato Sekwati of Kanye has encouraged Batswana to screen for cancer on a regular basis and keep the silent killer disease at bay.

Sekwati, a Form Four student at Kids Academy English Medium School and Miss Teen Universe Botswana finalist, said this after walking some few kilometres from her school to Mongala Mall recently, where she talked to students and some members of the community about the dangers of cancer.

Through her project, She Warrior, Sekwati raised awareness on cancer, especially the need to test early, stressing that cancer was manageable with early detection.

Sekwati, who said she had also been affected by cancer, said many lives had been lost to the killer disease due to lack of knowledge or late detection.

Under the theme, Girls United, Cancer Annihilated, Sekwati encouraged Batswana to do physical exercise, eat healthy foods and drink lots of water.

She also encouraged girls to be strong, confident and assertive on day to day girl child issues.

Kanye-based cervical cancer prevention focal person, Ms Oratwa Keikitse applauded Sekwati for the initiative.

Although cancer robbed Batswana of lives more than HIV/AIDS, she said they hardly ever talked about it publicly.

She said more awareness should be raised on the silent killer to save lives.

Ms Keikitse also advised men to do the safe male circumcision and protect their spouses from contracting the Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) which was transmittable through sexual intercourse.

The virus causes cancer.

Likewise, she encouraged Batswana to do regular medical checkups stressing that symptoms usually appeared late.

For most people, she said HPV would go away without treatment, but if it persisted it could cause changes in the cervix, resulting in pre-cancer lesions, at which stage, if not treated, it would develop into cancer.

For his part, Vision 2036 Council member, Dr Lemogang Kwape commended Sekwati for the noble initiative.

Dr Kwape wished her the best of luck in her endeavour and encouraged her to draw inspiration from former Miss Universe, Mpule Kwelagobe and internationa model Kaone Kario.

He was particularly pleased that Sekwati’s project targeted girls.

He said women lagged behind in leadership positions, but with more support, many would be inspired to take charge of their lives.

Dr Kwape argued that the second pillar of the National Vision would not hold if Batswana did not lead healthy lifestyles.

Dr Kwape also encouraged those who were infected to adhere to treatment. ENDS