15 May 2018

Acting Minister of Local Government and Rural Development, Ms Botlogile Tshireletso says a stable and supportive family environment is vital in a child’s wellbeing.

Speaking at the commemoration of International Day of the Family in Lobatse on Monday, Ms Tshireletso said a stable and supportive family gave a child values that would groom them into stable adults; who will develop strong relationships and thrive and work anywhere.

She said the day challenged everyone to introspect on the unique role of the family as a fundamental unit of society and appreciate its contribution to the development of the nation.

Recognised by various international instruments such as the Universal Declaration of Human Rights as the natural and fundamental unit in a society and International Law as the most important institution, Minister Tshireletso said family remained very significant to “our social life” by ensuring the wellbeing of members, educating and grooming children as well as caring for the young and old.

This year’s theme; Families and Inclusive Societies, focuses on the 2030 Agenda, particularly the Sustainable Development Goal that addresses the promotion of peaceful and inclusive societies for sustainable development.

She said a family setup should offer legal protection and uphold the rights of its members especially women.

She however said family setup should not only be linked to women’s roles as mothers and caregivers but rather women should also be allowed to have equal access to economic resources, ownership of property and access to decent jobs so as to sustain themselves and their families. Deliberating on roles of family members in socialisation, Reverend Rodney Mazani said family is the foundation of society, which should be protected from the attack it was facing, adding that if the family was attacked, then the whole nation was attacked.

Rev Mazani indicated that it was time people went back to God for healing of the family as God was the foundation of family.

He encouraged couples to invite God into their marriages to heal their families and protect their families from divorce, adding that marriage was no longer dignified because of extra marital affairs which broke up families. ENDS