09 May 2020

The Vice President, Mr Slumber Tsogwane, has hailed private and corporate citizens who have contributed to the COVID-19 Relief Fund.

Speaking at a handing over of more than P1 million donated by different companies on Friday (May 8), Mr Tsogwane said the companies made a difference in the lives of Batswana.

He said it was pleasing that donors were not only limited to citizens of Botswana, saying other countries such as United States, China and the Kenyan community living in Botswana had joined in to extend a helping hand.

Thus, the Vice President called on all citizens to contribute otherwise, saying the war against COVID-19 was still far from being defeated.

He further urged Batswana to cooperate since government continued to make decisions intended to fight the pandemic in the interest of the citizens.

“The pandemic knows no boundaries, colour and religion and all people have to put their efforts together.

Botswana’s mission was to defeat and stop spread of COVID-19, protect citizens and to recover to normalcy and therefore Batswana have to abide by the rules and regulations of health professionals,” he said.

Also, he said Botswana had developed a culture and attached values and beliefs that Batswana had to live with, even beyond COVID-19, which included constantly washing their hands, social distancing, constraining movements and observing health interests such as taking body temperature.

Among donors were Bank Gaborone who donated P400 000, Ismail Group of Filling stations; P400 000, Air Time Dealers; P300 000, Jamal Trading Company; P300 000, BB Motors and Sky Ways Travel P250 000, F. Ismail Group; P200 000, Kenyan Community P60 000, New Era Foundation P50 000, Lobatse Secondary Class of 1994 donated P31 319.94 while Lotsane Secondary School Class of 1995 donated P12 819.95.

Mr Tsogwane also received P500 000 from CA Sales as well as food hampers to be donated to people. Ends