24 Feb 2019

The Vice President, Mr Slumber Tsogwane, has described Shegotja Molelo Society (SMS) as an example of what great minds could achieve when driven by a common purpose.

He said this when handing over a three-roomed house donated by SMS to an elderly resident of Gopong, Ms Kegaisamang Merenyana, during an event that also marked official launch of Digawana branch on February 21.

The Vice President said the society complemented government efforts to eradicate abject poverty as well as provide decent housing for needy Batswana.

Mr Tsogwane, however, advised the society to be apolitical to avoid entrenching divisions among members and respect their constitution in order to give the society more appeal. 

He explained that a good image would make well-wishers to give towards the cause knowing that their donations would be put to good use.

Mr Tsogwane, also Rural Development Council chairperson, said the society’s vision was close to the heart of government because it purposed to release women from the shackles of poverty through friendships and empowerment. 

He said the two were a critical building block towards nation building and encouraged the society to spread its wings across the country. Mr Tsogwane, who pledged P5 000 to the society, described the initiative as an ambition from big dreamers and urged members to have mutual respect for one another as well as support each other especially during difficult times of bereavements.

SMS president, Ms Janet Mokwena, said when they started in 2006, they were targeting women in Kweneng West where abject poverty was rife.

The intention was to give women support especially by affording them a dignified burial. 

She said members joined with P100 then paid a monthly P50 premium to qualify for a P40 000 funeral cover for their families. 

She said they wanted to make the society accessible to many women.

She said they had 28 branches, adding they were on a drive to reach out to all women across the country and the house was the third they donated after Tsetseng, and Mogoditshane. 

She said they also donated 30 goats to three individuals in Mabutsane.

Area MP, Dr Alfred Madigele, said women empowerment was fundamental to the nation’s journey of economic development given that many families were headed by single women.

Dr Madigele also thanked stakeholders who donated to the cause of the society among them Hollard Insurance, Furnmart and Mr Phandor. 

Mr Phandor advised men to also come up with a similar empowerment initiative and help one another. 

Kgosi Kefitlhile Kgwakgwe in his welcome remarks said lack of transport undermined efforts to police crime in the village. 

He also requested for the police post to be upgraded and implored government to upgrade the village clinic. ends