01 Aug 2018

Former President Lt Gen. Dr Seretse Khama Ian Khama has appreciated Umbrella of Unity, a non-profit making organisation in Letlhakeng for their efforts in trying to address the needs of the less privileged citizens.

Speaking at a ceremony to hand over a refurbished house to one resident, Mr Moemi Motswana at Letlhakeng on July 31, Lt Gen. Dr Khama indicated that such a gesture was also in line with what he was trying to instil among Batswana while he was still the president.

“When I was still at the helm of the country I tried to instil into our people to develop the spirit of compassion and Botho and make it a habit to help the less privileged members of our society, and am very pleased to note that the Umbrella of Unity is working along that line,” he said.

Moreover, Lt Gen. Dr Khama appealed to good Samaritans to come forth and assist the National Housing Appeal, formerly the President’s Housing Appeal with funds and building materials so that more needy people could be assisted.

He also informed the gathering that he was keeping the promise he made before departing office that he would continue to engage in charitable engagements.

For his part, the Minister of Tertiary Education, Research, Science and Technology, Mr Ngaka Ngaka, who was speaking on behalf of the Vice President, also hailed the Umbrella of Unity for its efforts and said it was even more pleasing to note that the organisation was made up of the youth.

He said that alone indicated that the former president’s appeal and message for Batswana to be compassionate had hit the right chords, and that it was now upon the people to develop their character and learn to help others.

“I would also like to appeal that such gestures as this one by the Umbrella of Unity should continue as there are still many deserving people in society that need assistance, and such assistance should also be in other sectors such as education and agriculture,” he said.

Mr Ngaka, therefore, called for more residents of Letlhakeng to emulate the Umbrella of Unity as they could not deal with the challenges of a village alone.

The leader of the Umbrella of Unity, Mr Aderson Mathibe also appreciated the former president for his inspiration.

He indicated that their organisation was registered in 2012 by the youth in the area with the objective of addressing poverty which was rife in the village as well as a way of meeting government halfway in assisting the needy.

He said they did that with the belief that a gap that existed between the rich and the poor should be bridged.

The organisation also donated some food hampers. ENDS