05 Jan 2020

Employees from departments under the Office of the President (OP) in Ngamiland region in collaboration with Archein hardware in Maun have constructed a litter cage and a bus shelter for Mababe community as a community service initiative.

The employees from district commissioner’s office, Information Services, Government Printing and Broadcasting services handed over the project during a team building exercise at Mababe recently.

Speaking during the handover ceremony of the projects, Kgosi Galefediwe Ruthano praised the employees for their noble gesture, saying the projects would make a huge difference in the lives of the residents.

He said government alone could not manage to respond positively to all their needs and thanked the employees for complimenting government efforts.

Another resident, Mr Daniel Tlhomamo also praised the employees for a job well done and assured them to put the donations to good use. He pleaded with the community look after the projects.

Mr Polelo Tebelo of Mababe also showered employees with accolades, saying what they did in the village was the beginning of a strong partnership between the community and Office of the President. He said the donation might look small but appreciated that the employees did that with love as they contributed from their pockets.

Okavango deputy district commissioner, Mr Thabang Waloka said they donated the projects with love as they wanted to prove to the community that public servants were not only responsible for bringing government services to them, but they docared.

He said it was important to interact with the community and appreciate their challenges with an aim to assist where possible. He pleaded with residents to ensure a clean environment as their village was a tourism destination.

Further, Mr Waloka said Mababe was a small village and the community was lucky to have a strong community trust, which could transform the livelihoods of the residents. Through the community support, he said the trust was capable of implementing some developmental projects, citing electricity connection.

He urged the community to introspect and see how best they could revive the trust so as to utilize the natural resources within their area.

The village, situated in the Okavango Delta, is rich in natural resources such as Mababe depression. In addition, he appreciated that the trust used to make a lot of money, but collapsed due to the revious hunting ban.

District Performance Improvement Coordinator, Mr Joe Garebagae explained that it was the government initiative to set aside a day where public employees could interact with the community and participate in charitable activities.

So far, the team has already assisted Okavango communities in Xaixai, Xakao and Tsodilo. ENDS