23 Dec 2020

Vice President, Mr Slumber Tsogwane has on December 23 donated food hampers to residents of Francistown East constituency.

In a brief meeting at Donga kgotla prior to handing over of food hampers, Mr Tsogwane said the visit to the area was part of President Dr Mokgweetsi Masisi’s initiative of encouraging Members of Parliament and councillors to interact with the electorate.

He noted that because of the COVID-19 pandemic, most of the platforms that were used to interact with the public had been put on hold.

 "This is the new normal, which Batswana should adopt and live with, until the situation improves," he said.

Mr Tsogwane further said as leaders, they would make efforts to reach out to community members so as to get first hand update on how they had been coping under the State of Emergency.

He said President Masisi’s initiative of reaching out to the residents through such visits, started in the Kgalagadi, followed by Okavango with the aim of getting a closer appreciation of the daily lives of the communities.

Even though Botswana has been affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, he said Botswana did well as compared to other countries.

However, he said the situation did not allow for people to let their guard down; hence he urged them to follow all health protocols aimed at containing the spread of the coronavirus.

Mr Tsogwane added that the pandemic had negatively impacted on the economy and wellbeing of individuals.

“This, therefore calls for help, hence President Masisi came up with food hampers initiative to be randomly given to different households,” said Mr Tsogwane.

Mr Tsogwane also donated P20 000 to buy cattle to be slaughtered and shared among community members of Donga area.

Appreciating the gesture, Donga Court president, Ms Tebogo Steven said the food hampers would provide a merry Christmas for the recipients.

Ms Steven added some families in her ward were severely affected by the effects of COVID-19. ENDS