23 Feb 2020

Assistant Minister of Local government and Rural Development Mr Kgotla Autlwetse, has pleaded with the elderly to impart words of wisdom to the younger generation.

Speaking at a thanksgiving ceremony organised by the elderly in Modipane, Mr Autlwetse said the elderly should help government spread a message of unified households and responsible behaviour.

He said building of family structures that were set on strong marriages could help the country in its transformation drive.

Mr Autlwetse said initially the invitation of a guest speaker for the event was directed at President Dr Mokgweetsi Masisi, but due to other pressing commitments, the latter sent him on his behalf

He said President Masisi was humbled by the invitation and would, in future, visit the elderly in Modipane.

Mr Autlwetse, who is also a specially nominated Member of Parliament, said it was exciting to see the elderly at the forefront of events, adding that this showed that they still had a lot to offer to this nation.

“It is my wish and hope that the younger generation could learn and emulate you,” he said.

He noted that it was good that the elderly were not solely dependent on government.

Mr Autlwetse said it was good for people to take responsibility for their own lives and not depend on government for everything. Sharing statistics of how government assisted the elderly, Mr Autlwetse said as of December 2019, there were 119 518 old age pensioners at a cost of P620 million.

“Destitute cash allowance beneficiaries are 37 556 at P94 million, disability cash transfer people are 7 805 at P30 million and World War II veterans beneficiaries are 1 270 at P8 million,” he said.

Mr Autlwetse said the total number of people was 166 149 and costing government P754 million. 

He said in Modipane, there were 46 destitute persons, 21 vulnerable children and 155 old age pensioners, of which only 88 had been the ones to organise this thanks-giving day.

He went on to say that finances permitting, government is promising to review some of these allowances because Botswana was where it was today on the back of sacrifices and contributions made by the elderly. Mr Autlwetse said government would continue affording dignity to those who have been unfortunate, and called on members of society to also help.

He further said President Dr Masisi needs to be supported in transforming this country to a high income status.

“I also want to encourage you to lease your ploughing fields if you cannot utilise them, so that this country can produce the food it needs and reduce the import bill,” he concluded.

For his part, representative of the elders Mr Teke Sibasa said they started their committee in 2018 and their main objective was to thank government for everything it was doing for them. He said they contributed P100 each and got donations from various people in the community to help with preparations.

Mr Sibasa said they had wished for President Dr Masisi to grace their event, but they were still happy that he sent a representative in the form of Mr Autlwetse.

He said they were also thankful that Botswana was a peaceful nation anchored on stability and the rule of law.

“We also appreciate that we continue to access health care services and our wish is to see government revenue increase so our monthly allowances get increased also,” he said, adding that as elders of Modipane, they are grateful for this new government. Mr Sibasa said it was also their hope to grow this initiative and continue contributing to the growth and status quo of Botswana.

For his part, Deputy Speaker of the National Assembly and also Member of Parliament for Mochudi East Mr Mabuse Pule encouraged the elderly to exercise regularly and eat healthy foods.

He said government had various programmes for the elderly and it was his hope that money disbursed to such programmes got increased. Ends