18 Mar 2019

Permanent Secretary to the President (PSP) Mr Carter Morupisi has said poverty should not be inherited, but should be put to an end.

Speaking at a house donation handover in Molepolole on March 16, Mr Morupisi said government programmes such as free education and those offering empowerment should be utilised to ensure that chains of poverty are broken.

The beneficiaries of the two-bedroomed house built by Letlapa Social Club are all unemployed and depend on government programmes for their sustainability. There are 21 family members, according to one of them, Ms Onalenna Diratsagae, eight grown-ups with 13 children, among them seven are orphans.

Mr Morupisi said no individual has to live in poverty, hence he called upon stakeholders to ensure that all children receive education, which is vital in improving their lives and to eventually graduate from poverty.

He encouraged the family to take advantage of free education and other government economic empowerment schemes to uplift their lives.

The family has been sharing two huts and the PS said this made them vulnerable to adverse harsh weather conditions and their security was also compromised. The PSP applauded Letlapa for coming to the rescue of a family that was in dire need of accommodation.

He said it was heartening to note that there are people who have compassion that undoubtedly restores dignity and brings hope to the lives of those in need.

Mr Morupisi further said government was committed to providing shelter to citizens through Destitute Housing, Self Help Housing Agency (SHHA) and Presidential Housing Appeal initiatives.

He said government has set up the Presidential Housing Appeal Fund coordinated through the Office of the President to provide for the construction of basic housing for destitute persons as well as maintenance of dilapidated houses.  

Members of the public from anywhere in the world are welcome to make contributions to a government bank account that has been opened specifically for the purpose and will be subject to audit as per the financial rules and regulations.

According to Mr Morupisi, the late President, Sir Ketumile Masire established the first Housing Appeal Fund, saving part of his salary for the benefit of Batswana who managed to build houses especially in Gaborone. This was revolving funds as beneficiaries had to pay back part of the amount they received.

He applauded club members for seeing the need to uplift the lives of those from their own community, saying such illustrates compassion and loving hearts that compelled them to build a house for the most deserving beneficiary.

The chairperson Mr Israel Mogonono said they formed the club 15 years ago as a social football team and in addition, to encourage and develop community leadership skills among the youth.

Further, through football, they encourage wellness and also the spirit of self-reliance. He said most of the members were youths, some whom were unemployed, hence challenged to contribute monthly subscription fees.

He however said this had not deterred the club’s determination to improve the lives of their community members.

The group’s first community project was provision of reflectors for the donkey carts as well as reflective clothing to ensure visibility during the night in 2017.

Mr Mogonono expressed hope  by the end of the project in 2020, a lot would have been achieved, noting that there were still a lot to be done as recently they lost a member in an accident involving a donkey-cart and a vehicle.

On the project, which cost about P80 000, he said they worked with the Department of Social and Community Development to help them identify a needy person who did not have shelter, hence they built one for Diratsagae family.

Construction of the house started in June and was completed in December last year. Ends