17 Apr 2019

Sefalana Holdings has donated household items and furniture worth over P50 000 to orphans and vulnerable children in the North East District.

The donations, which included beds, tables, chairs, pots, cylinders and kitchen units would be shared between nine children; four children in Gungwe, two in Makaleng, two in Matshelagabedi and one in Tshesebe.

Officiating during the handover ceremony in Gungwe on April 16, the Assistant Minister of Health and Wellness and also MP for Tati West, Mr Biggie Butale commended Sefalana Holdings and their banner group members for lending a helping hand to the needy.

He highlighted that social workers through the North East District Council were able to identify these children and built shelter for them. 

He, however, said their houses were not furnished with household essentials.

The assistant minister stated that giving on its own attracted more blessings as attested in the Bible.

“We should always remember that the Bible says blessed is the hand that gives than the hand that receives,” he reminded the audience.

Mr Butale stated that generosity should be encouraged and cultivated on every person because if every person would give even the little things, no one would lack.

He said Sefalana Holdings had been contributing positively towards helping the vulnerable especially those affected by the HIV/AIDS epidemic hence he challenged them to continue performing this gesture.

The assistant minister wished Sefalana Holdings well in its future endeavours and encouraged them to expand their business beyond Botswana borders.

“Continue giving because it is part of Setswana culture, Batswana are known to be generous and not stingy and clingy hence stretch your hand and touch many lives.”

The head of Wholesale at Sefalana Holdings, Mr Moagi Buzwani said Sefalana Holdings was owned by Batswana hence it was upon them as an indigenous company to touch the lives of Batswana by giving back.

He stated that giving was part of their community social responsibility that is why they identified the vulnerable children in the North East to contribute the household items.

Mr Buzwani said Sefalana Holdings had a manufacturing division which made products like Tsabana, sorghum and samp with raw materials like maize that were purchased from Batswana.

He thanked the banner group members being Supa7, Citi Saver and Supa deal whom he said continued to strive in villages despite challenges from large chain stores that had expanded their business operations to villages.

Mr Buzwani urged the children to take care of the household items that had been donated and desist from trading the items for cash.

Speaking on behalf of the recipients, Onkabetse Chakalisa thanked Sefalana Holdings and their banner group members for giving them the house items.

He further thanked Gungwe village elders for supporting them after they lost their mother years back adding that this kind of love made him and his siblings work hard with respect.

He challenged children who were less privileged to respect every elder stating that this would bring blessings for them. He also thanked the North East District Council (NEDC) social workers for giving them support in all aspects as they engaged with them regularly to identify gaps in their daily lives.

NEDC chairperson, Ms Florah Mpetsane reiterated the importance of giving stating that the spirit should be encouraged in order to build a better Botswana.

She commended Sefalana Holdings for donating to these vulnerable children and thanked the district social workers for enabling this donation by identifying the children.

Kgosi Sonnyboy Buka of Gungwe said he was proud of what Sefalana Holdings had done adding that they should continue performing good deeds.

He said children were very important because they were the future hence encouraged the recipients to work hard despite their upbringing. ENDS