14 Oct 2018

The First Lady, Ms Neo Masisi, has commended Vivo Energy Botswana for donating 155 school bags containing solar energy light lamps to Machana and Bikwe satellite primary schools in the Southern District.

Ms Masisi, who is also the patron of Machana Satellite Primary School, said Vivo Energy, which also donated stationery, upheld its component of being an active participant in the lives of Batswana through its social responsibility programme.

She said education remained a priority for government, adding that all people living in Botswana had an opportunity to achieve and maintain the highest level of wellbeing.

The First Lady indicated that Vivo Botswana considered communities important stakeholders in the success of their brand.

She said the company had come on board to assist government because it could no longer shoulder the responsibility alone.

She said most schools operated with limited resources, calling for the wise use of the lamps so that they could help improve pupils’ results.

‘’The infusion of information technology in the education system would enhance learning, I urge you to always be confident and work hard so that you succeed in your school work,” she said.

Ms Masisi advised pupils to develop a sense of perseverance and never give up when facing challenges so that they could excel in their studies.

She also advised them to utilise the solar energy lamps to read while at home and study hard to succeed in life and be globally competitive.

She appealed to parents, teachers and students to work cooperatively together because ‘they are a three legged pot.’

‘’Use the light to brighten your future because you are the leaders of tomorrow, who would take our country high in developments,” she added.

When receiving the donation, education regional director for Southern, Mr Acronews Maseko, said the ministry appreciated the donation because Botswana wanted each and every Motswana to have access to education.

Mr Maseko stated that regardless of where they were situated in the country, either at cattle post or lands, Batswana  had to be educated.

He also reiterated government’s commitment to better lives of Batswana for prosperity adding that all Batswana should be knowledgeable and be globally competitive.

Vivo, he said, had contributed to the education of ordinary people who always resided at lands with their children.

Mr Maseko said through the donation, the company had invested in pupils, who would in future create employment for themselves and others. ’Blessed is the hand that giveth,’’ he added.

The school head for Machana Satellite School, Mr Stanley Molefe appreciated the donation and thanked Vivo energy management for the donation, saying they had demonstrated stakeholder involvement in building education in Botswana.

Mr Molefe said the gift would motivate the students and the teachers to work hard and upgrade the school’s results.

He also said the school had mandated itself to produce well-groomed leaders of tomorrow.

Meanwhile, Vivo Energy Botswana Human Resource Officer director, Ms Gertrude Muzola, said the company had duty to conduct its business in a socially responsible manner, by giving back to the community where possible.

Muzola noted that the company wanted to contribute to the economic development and improve the quality of life of people in different communities.

‘’We are committed to taking voluntary steps to improve the quality of lives in our society with specific references to local communities within which we operate,” she said.

She said Vivo was established in Botswana in 2012, and they are working with Shell stations supplying lubricants. ENDS