11 Jun 2018

An official at the Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development, Mr Tinabo Chabaesele has commended Faith Gospel After Christ (FGAC) for extending  a helping hand to many Batswana regardless of their religious inclination.

By so doing, Mr Chabesele said  the church continued to live the vision set by its founding Bishop Onkutrule Modikwa 69 years ago when it was first established in Botswana.

Speaking at the groundbreaking of a house to be built for Ms Galejewe Onkonetse of Tshimoyapula on June 9, Mr Chabaesele exalted FGAC saying that by living their vision the church was growing in value and credibility in society.  

A living testimony as he said he witnessed the good deeds of the church whilst he was still a teacher at Moeng College between 2004 and 2010, Mr Chabaesele said he was particularly impressed by the church choir, the majority of whom were youth.

He hailed choir members and their committee for being proactive in ensuring successful fundraising activities despite unemployment being an albatross around their neck and other social and economic challenges weighing them down.

He said he found the youth exhibiting signs of true leadership.

In singing praises of the church that dons mostly blue and white regalia,  Mr Chabesele said being endowed with young people who were blessed with singing prowess and rendition of melodious praise music, the church was anchored on solid ground and destined for a greater future ahead.

Mr Chabaesele, who donated P3 000 to the cause, invited the church choir to engage the MPs office in their fundraising endeavours in order to reduce a number of humps that lay ahead against successful events.

To buttress his exaltation of the church, which boasts over 139 branches in Botswana, South Africa and Namibia, Mr Chabaesele said that FGAC was heeding the government’s call in putting roofs over heads of many less privileged citizens who hitherto had been queuing for government support grants and handouts.

Mr Chabaesele revealed that there were 304 people in Tshimoyapula who were assisted by government on various programmes to sustain their lives.

Of the 304 beneficiaries 74 were destitute persons, 65 orphans, 150 needy students and the remaining were people living with disabilities. All these required around P2.3 million annually.

At the same event, national church choir chairperson, Mr Cedric Luka said that gospel choirs existed to touch and heal battered souls for enjoyment as well as calm stoked spirits.

“As choirs we need to lead in making a difference in the lives of some Batswana,” said Mr Luka who stated that they were sent by the Holy Spirit to identify  beneficiary at a community where they don’t have a circuit.

Like many speakers at the event Mr Luka was in consonance that shelter bred dignity to mankind and he quashed insinuations that they could be using their project as a move to recruit members from the village.

Bishop Andries Magano, once a choir coordinator before paving way for young blood, is the leader of the project.

He revealed that bricklayers were members of the church in good standing and have volunteered their services.

Bishop Magano promised that they would carry out the project at a remarkable speed so as to deliver it in time.

FGAC was established in Botswana in 1949 by the late Bishop Onkutule Modikwa and its headquarters are in Ratholo, Tswapong.

FGAC, has committed to donating P6000 annually to Masiela Trust Fund and another P6000 to SOS South Africa.

In the past, the late leader Bishop Modikwa reportedly built a clinic in Ratholo and handed it to government for the benefit of the community.

He also built Two Rivers Primary School which too was handed over to government. ENDS