20 Jan 2019

Ms Dikao Dirakano of  Botlhapatlou in Kweneng District was on cloud nine when the Water Utilities Corporation (WUC) handed her a three-roomed house recently.

The visually impaired pensioner could only say, “Ke a go robala gore kebo ke selwe ke tsoge ka 11”.  

The project was realised after donations from the corporation’s employees.

When handing over the project, the WUC chief executive officer, Mr Mmetla Masire, said the corporation was not only interested in supplying water, but was also concerned with improving livelihoods.

“Various WUC management centres have been doing works of benevolence throughout the country and this is the seventh house that were are handing.

We have also donated computers, uniforms, and others in some areas depending on the contributions the employees have managed because the bulk of the projects are done from their pocks,” he said.

The principal community development officer for Letlhakeng Sub-district, Mr Elliot Sebikiri, said assistance by the WUC had come in handy for his department, which was tasked with assisting the less privileged members of the society. He said this was because their annual budget was always so tight to cater for all the needy persons in the area.

“As a sub-district council, we encourage such benevolence because it will allow us to focus on other needy persons,” he said.

Giving the background to their friendship with the beneficiary, WUC general manager for Molepolole region, Ms Boitumelo Kgaodi, indicated that a freak accident in 2016 which led to

Ms Dirakano breaking her leg while at their offices to pay for water bills compelled them to always check her while still hospitalised.

“As our customer, we found it fit to keep an eye on her as she broke a leg on our premises seeking our services, and after she was discharged we came to check her at home and that was when we realised the dire conditions that she lived under, and we then mooted this project,” she said.

She said they made contributions and sought more funds from the corporation’s corporate social responsibility fund to complete the house.  She, therefore, encouraged the employees to continue their spirit of compassion.

On his part, Kgosi Domkrag Omphitlhetse implored the community to also develop the spirit of compassion rather than look up to companies to assist.

He said that was more so that the village had many needy persons.

A relative of the beneficiary, Ms Bontlogetse Phiri also indicated her appreciation of the assistance, saying that as relatives they never thought their grandmother would ever have a respectable shelter as the one-handed. She said the project would come in handy looking at the advanced age of the beneficiary and that she was blind.

“She needs water and a toilet closer, as well as proper shelter and WUC, has answered. It is very welcome to note that the corporation is heeding government’s plea to assist those in need,” she said.

She said that as her relatives, they would now be able to sleep easy knowing that the old lady was now properly sheltered. Ends