07 Feb 2019

Vice President, Mr Slumber Tsogwane says the recent drowning of three children at Shakwe has left the nation in shock.

Delivering messages of condolences to the berieved families yesterday, Mr Tsogwane said it was painful to lose future leaders.

“Even under such difficult circumstances, we must gather all the necessary strength and comfort the affected families,” he said.

The children, Laone Seiphetheng (10), Winter Joe Taolo (7) and Leonard Motheo Kennekae (7), all Standard I pupils at Shakwe Primary School, drowned in a pond on January 29.

Mr Tsogwane, who was accompanied by the Assistant Minister of Local Government and Rural Development and Mahalapye East MP Ms Botlogile Tshireletso as well as other government officials, expressed appreciation for the support the community extended to the berieved families.

He said due to other pressing commitment, the President Dr Mokgweetsi Masisi and himself would not be able to attend the funeral scheduled for Saturday hence the visit.

Mr Tsogwane appealed to the bereaved families never to lose faith in God for he “will eventually come up with something positive in your lives to soothe your pain”.

Meanwhile, Ms Tshireletso noted with appreciation that President  Masisi and Mr Tsogwane always found it fit to console and support those going through difficult times.

By so doing, the leadership was demonstrating a caring spirit which was one of the pillars of uniting the nation, she said.

Ms Tshireletso said the three children’s demise followed another drowning incident in Mahalapye which claimed the life of a Xhosa Ward child recently.

Even though lives would never be replaced, measures would be put in place to prevent such incidents, she said.

The assistant minister said the hole in which the child drowned in Mahalapye would be filled up with soil while a perimeter fence would be erected around the Shakwe pond to restrict entry.

Ms Tshireletso said it would be unfortunate if the drowning incidents were blamed on  negligence on behalf of the parents.

“As parents, we do our best to care and protect our children against any harm, but it was unfortunate for such unforeseen and heart breaking incidents to occur,” she said.

A representative of one of the berieved families, Ms Mmangwako Seiphetheng expressed appreciation for the support from government and Shakwe community saying it assisted in finding comfort.

For his part, Mr Rabosoto Taolo was appreciative of the support from the Botswana Police in searching for the children.

Mr Taolo said the council and education authorities were equally supportive adding that the community of Shakwe had demonstrated the spirit of love and care.

“Even though in pain, we appreciate the messages of condolences from the community in whatever form they deem necessary,” he said.

Speaking on behalf of the Kennekae family, Mr Mooketsi Kemiso from Kennekae family, the said the deceased left for school on the fateful day but never returned home.

He said the search , which was launched immediately, resulted in the deceased children’s clothes being spotted at the village pond.

With the help of Botswana Police Service, their bodies were retrieved the following day. Ends