07 Mar 2021

Minister of International Affairs and Cooperation, Dr Lemogang Kwape has challenged churches to play a leading role in praying for all trials bedevilling the country.

Kick-starting the 2021 calendar activities for Kanye Ministers’ Fraternal on Saturday, Dr Kwape expressed a wish for churches to collaborate and pull together for a common course to proliferate the word of God.

Dr Kwape, who is also Member of Parliament for Kanye South, said it was great to see children of God praising and fellowshipping their creator, pointing that the move brings down God’s mercy and would deliver the nation from such afflictions.

He said churches should pray for the country to triumph in all situations affecting the nation, adding that prayers remained the nation’s bedrock in moving forward amidst challenges.

He said Botswana was looking forward for the arrival of COVID-19 vaccines in March. He encouraged pastors to act in unison with the government and encourage their congregants to get vaccinated in order to save the nation from demise.

He pleaded with pastors to partake in mobilising congregants to participate in the national vaccination programme, and said priority would be given to frontline workers, the elderly and frail. Dr Kwape thanked churches for providing social and emotional support through psychological counselling.

He urged pastors to talk to the nation through different church forums to preach the gospel of taking doses and implored them to be exemplary in observing COVID-19 protocols.

As for gender-based violence, he said churches were on a high podium to prevent the occurrence and recurrence of such.

Dr Kwape shared that gender-based violence was a deeply pervasive problem found in societies both private and public.

Gender-based violence, he said, was a phenomenon deeply rooted in gender inequality, and continued to be one of the most notable human rights violations within all societies.

For his part, Kanye Ministers’ Fraternal chairperson, Bishop Vivian Masibi thanked God for preserving the nation, adding that the nation was preserved because the masses listened and adhered to COVID-19 protocols.

She said the ministers’ fraternal had competent pastors who were able to lure astray sheep and direct them to the right path, and also provide counselling services to minimise the impact of COVID-19.

Speaking at the same occasion, Global Transformation and Network executive director, Mr Taolo Moshaga said human development was critical in nation building.

The transformation and leadership expert said the church must play its role to ensure social ills were curbed.

He spoke of the need for Kanye Minister’s Fraternal to have a vision that would make an impact in the socio economic development of the country. ENDS