16 Sep 2019

Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Infrastructure and Housing Development, Mr Dikagiso Mokotedi has expressed concern over the society’s loss of moral fabric and failure to collectively attend to social challenges.

Handing over a donation of electronic ultra violet insect electrocuter at Mothers Union Orphan Care Centre at Mahalapye recently, Mr Mokotedi acknowledged that prior to the visit he was not acquainted with the mandate of the centre.

“I had little knowledge about the centre, but I have since learnt that it plays an important role in our society,” he said.

Mr Mokotedi said in the past, the society was responsible for the care of the less privileged members.

He applauded the centre under the tutelage of the Anglican Church given the society’s reluctance in play its role.

Mr Mokotedi said although children were consequential of love and affection, it was disheartening to observe children orphaned and now the burden of an orphan centre as the society seems to be too occupied to offer them help.

He said the society had lost  care for one another.

Mr Mokotedi said the church must intervene and help the society to introspect and revive its culture of self-reliance and support the less privileged members of society.

 “We must love and take care of one another. We have lost our moral fabric as a society,” said Mr Mokotedi.

The guest speaker also observed that societies that were aimed at uplifting other people’s lives and supporting one another were dominated by the elderly.

He said the elderly were overwhelmed by the burden of fighting social ills as caregivers to the orphaned and abandoned children, the needy and the sick while the young and able bodied were not interested.

Mr Mokotedi said the centre would not fully execute its mandate without the support of the whole nation.

He also appealed to the community to look after each other, as some of the children under the care of the centre were surrounded by well-off members of the extended family.

“The centre cannot succeed on its own,” he said.

Reflecting on the donation, Mr Mokotedi said the employees of his ministry contributed to buy the equipment after noting that the kitchen at the centre had a challenge of insects likely to contaminate the food hence therefore the insect electrocutor would minimise the challenge. 

“We have registered your challenges and will continue appealing to others to assist where possible,” said Mr Mokotedi.

Meanwhile the centre coordinator, Ms Lesedi Selogelo indicated that the orphan care centre was initially established as a response to the challenges of HIV and AIDS.

Ms Selogelo said the centre had since included other challenges affecting vulnerable members of the society.

The centre promotes child welfare and provides  care to orphaned children and equips young mothers with life skills.

It was established by the Anglican Church and is funded by the United States Agency for International Development.

Ms Selogelo appealed to the community of Mahalapye and other philanthropic individuals to assist the centre by whatever means possible. ENDS