19 May 2020

Ngamiland Abattoir and Beef Boys Company in Maun have donated food packages comprising of meat and vegetables to Ngamiland community for relief during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Ngamiland Abattoir donated five tonnes of meat, which is 280 boxes to be distributed to households at Ngami, Maun East and Maun West constituencies while Beef Boys’ assistance included 250 packages of vegetables and sausages.

The goods were handed to the office of the District Commissioner and Maun Administrative Authority (MAA) leadership to distribute to the beneficiaries.

Speaking during the handing over of the donations, the Assistant District Commissioner, Mr Ramogaupi Gaborekwe thanked the business community for their noble gesture.

MAA chairperson, Councillor Vepaune Moreti said it was pleasing to see the business community coming on board to relief the community during trying times.

He said the donation came at a time when the council was distributing food hampers to the community, adding that the donation would add value to the food packages.

Ngamiland Abattoir operation manager, Mr Gaapale Wright said they saw it fit to assist following government’s plea to private sector to make donations towards the COVID-19 pandemic Relief Fund.

He believed the donation would make a difference in the lives of the beneficiaries, noting that each household would be given six kilograms of meat.

Beef Boys Managing Director, Mr Schalk Pretorius said the COVID-19 pandemic called for all to play a part to reduce the impact, hence the donation. He stated that they would continue to help members of the community.

He noted that their business had been hard hit by the pandemic as they supplied the safari industry in the Okavango Delta with goods, adding that since they stopped operations their company experienced low business.

Mr Pretorius noted that they recorded 95 per cent loss since the COVID-19 outbreak but was hopeful that they would bounce back.

Giving a word of appreciation on behalf of Members of Parliament from Maun East and Ngami, Maun West MP, Mr Dumelang Saleshando praised the business community for responding positively to their plea.

He said Ngamiland community was poverty-stricken and their offices continued to receive a lot of complaints of hunger from members of the community. He said the donation would make a difference.

He also appreciated that many business had been affected by COVID-19 pandemic but some continued to assist the communities where possible.

Mr Saleshando appealed to other businesses to come on board and cushion those affected by the pandemic. ENDS