07 Oct 2020

Shegotja Molelo Society, a Letlhakeng village based community group which has footprints all over the country, has handed over 10 vehicles to its branches in different parts of the country.

Handing over the vehicles at Letlhakeng main kgotla on September 6, ACHAP chief executive officer, Dr Khumo Seipone said she was touched by the zeal and tenacity which the founders of the society had in reaching out to the members.

This, she said demonstrated  that women were the pillars of a nation as they stood up to assist during a time when many families were faced with challenges.

Dr Seipone said despite the women coming from a poor background, they did not not let that discourage them as they were determined to create a conducive environment where all women could be assisted equally.

She expressed gratitude to all Shegotja Molelo women who against all odds formed a sustainable community society.

Dr Seipone said that was a commendable gesture as they had stepped in to meet government half way in addressing some of the challenges experienced by Batswana families.

In an era where gender based violence incidents had increased, she said, she was happy that men had been included to make the society even stronger.

She said President Dr Mokgweetsi Masisi and government were on a war path to bring an end to gender based violence and strengthen laws to ensure stiff penalties for perpetrators in an effort to curb GBV.

Shegotja Molelo, she noted, should participate in campaigns geared towards fighting GBV.

The chief executive officer commended the society for their vision and initiatives for the growth and development of the society.

Dr Seipone said she was delighted that the society was working closely with Dikgosi to assist them solve conflicts, disputes and other challenges during such hard times.

She said she was overjoyed to realise that they were adhering to COVID-19 protocols and encouraged them to continue doing so and spread the messages to other community members.

Dr Seipone added that she pledged to be a partner of the society and was ready to give advice whenever they needed it . She donated 150 masks to be distributed to those in need.

Shegotja Molelo Society president, Ms Goleba Mokwena said the society had grown tremendously since its establishment in 2007.

She said their major challenge had always been transport and they decided to purchase vehicles for the branches to make service delivery much easier.

Ms Mokwena said that would enable them to visit far places which they could not reach before, adding that their desire was to at least buy vehicles for all the 27 branches across the country by the end of the year.

She said the 10 vehicles included six Ipsuns, two minibuses, one Toyota Surf and a BMW X3, which would be distributed to Ditshegwane, Lehututu, Tlokweng and Digawana branches among others.

Ms Mokwena cited as challenges  ethnic or tribal conflicts, citing that two branches had left but later disbanded to rejoin the society.

She also said some branch executive members mismanaged member contributions, a matter which needed quick attention to avoid serious setbacks.

In his welcoming remarks, Kgosi Tumelo Puleng of Letlhakeng showered praises to Shegotja Molelo Society for their contribution to the communities they operate in.

He said the society had played a major role in the lives of people and continued to lend a helping hand whenever need arose.

Kgosi Puleng said the gesture  was a commendable and implored them to bring change in the communities.

Meanwhile, a representative from the Office of the District Commissioner, Ms Bianca Moswela said they appreciated the contribution the society had done in the community.

She said Shegotja Molelo would always remain close to their hearts as they always responded positively to their pleas, something which would never be forgotten. ends