23 Mar 2020

Kanye Administrative Authority (KAA) Acting Deputy District Commissioner, Mr Balume Bulayani has implored the populace to adhere to health prescriptions to help in combating Coronavirus.

Mr Bulayani told BOPA in an interview that as a precautionary measure, they had cut the number of people in marriage halls or venues as recommended by government.

He said marriages in his area  would continue but the District Commissioner’s office was on high alert to ensure all prescribed health measures were complied with, noting that it was imperative to adhere to the recently announced measures with regard to COVID-19.

He said since there were many marriages in his area, they had selected  different  venues or stations to accommodate the recommended numbers as well as to expedite service delivery. 

Mr Bulayani shared that they had enough marriage officers who could assist to solemnise marriages. 

He said his office had communicated with other offices such as National Births and Death Registration to encourage  couples who  registered for marriages and sign for marriage persons property in accordance with Marriage Persons Property Act of 2014, to adhere to the recommended number in marriage halls or other venues.  

For his part senior chief representative Kgosi Kwelagobe Mookodi hailed government decision to cancel provision of food for mourners in funerals, saying such a move would spare Batswana the costs of providing food. 

He was of the view that the practice should continue even after the scourge because it saved time and costs.

He said after receiving the message on COVID-19 they took a deliberate decision to contact affected couples to enlighten them about the requirements prescribed by the government with a view to prevent the spread of the pandemic.

Kgosi Mookodi said they had  also imparted messages  to dikgosana so that they could further disseminate them in their respective wards. 

He also implored Batswana not to take advantage of the scourge to charge exorbitant prices for commodities such as masks, gloves, sanitizers and soaps.

Mr Mookodi said the virus was easily transmitted thus he challenged the people to wash their hands frequently, use sanitizers and keep a distance of one to two metres between individuals.

Government has also suspended public gatherings of more than 10 people for 30 days in domains such as religious activities, sporting events, conferences, wedding celebrations, night clubs/bars, music concerts, parties and gymnasiums.

Mr Tapologo and Ms Tshepiso Kgosiemang who got married last week said by the time the announcements  were made, preparations for marriage were at an advanced stage and they had already bought groceries for a bigger number of guests. 

They had also paid for the tent which accommodated 250 people of which one of the conditions was that  the fee was not refundable.

The couple however said they would adhere to stipulated preventative measures.

Mr Kgosiemang said they had a challenge deciding who to invite adding it may hamper relations with relatives and friends.

Mr Kgosiemang said they had three family members who were from affected countries: one from Kenya and two from South Africa who went through all screening processes and had wanted to attend the wedding but were in isolation at their respective homes in Kanye and Francistown.

He said the one from Kenya was studying in the country and two from South Africa had went to seek medical attention. Ends