10 Jun 2020

The Chinese Chamber of Commerce in Francistown has donated over P300 000 to the COVID-19 Relief Fund.

Speaking during the donation on Tuesday, the chamber’s chairperson, Mr Steven Zhu said the Chinese community and companies in Francistown came together to ensure that they contributed towards the good course.  

He said they regarded Francistown as their second hometown since they had been engaged in charity activities like donating to the less-privileged. He noted that it was the second time they were donating to the relief fund. In April they donated P300 000.

Mr Zhu said although shops in the city faced a lot of challenges during the state of emergency, they encouraged them to assist with everything they could, as their concern was about the safety of people.

He said during the lockdown Chinese businesses disbursed monthly salaries to employees and did not retrench.

Furthermore, he said the businesses were instructed to comply with emergency rules and regulations.

Mr Zhu said they would join hands with local authorities during difficult times, adding that Botswana’s good governance would be a guiding principle towards good health and safety of citizens.

“With Botswana’s strong leadership and joint efforts of all, we believe Botswana will surely overcome the challenge of the pandemic,” he said.

In his appreciation remarks, Francistown mayor, Mr Godisang Radisigo thanked the Chinese community for their continued support.

He further applauded Chinese businesses for not retrenching any employees during the lockdown and for also paying them monthly salaries despite the challenges.

Mr Radisigo said they had been receiving blankets and other goods from the Chinese community in the past years hence their continued support was commendable.

He said the donation came at the right time when the government was fighting the pandemic. Ends