29 Apr 2021

Unlike some who rear livestock for prestige, Ms Ndaboka Mokeresete of Mangana cattlepost near Mmadikola in the Boteti Sub-district is among those who engage in farming with a purpose to better her life.

The 41-year-old shared during Vice President Slumber Tsogwane’s Tuesday visit to donate a buck that she was able to pay for her daughter’s tuition  at the Botswana International University of Science and Technology with proceeds from small stock sales.

A beneficiary of the Livestock Management and Infrastructure Development (LIMID) programme from 2013, Ms Mokeresete started with 19 goats and owns 30 to date.

Not only was she able to send her daughter for tertiary education, she also hires tutors for her younger ones, to help them where they are lacking and has also built her family a house, opened a tuckshop and bought some cattle with money raised from selling small stock.

Ms Morekeresete, who was visibly elated when the Vice President presented her with a buck, stated that she could now easily support her family.

She promised to look after the gift and appealed to the President to continue with the spirit and reach out to many others.

Another farmer, Mr Senkepeng Tatoletso aged 31 of Gwii cattlepost near Xhumo also received a buck.

Mr Tatoletso said he battered maize with cattle that were now seven in number and also owned 27 goats.

He further stated that he supplied LIMID beneficiaries and other interested farmers and with proceeds gained from selling the animals, he was able to pay school fees for his children.

Mr Tsogwane encouraged Batswana to venture into smallstock farming because it was worth it if well managed.

He said the President bought high breed smal stock to assist those into smallstock farming to improve their beeds.

Mr Tsogwane commended the farmers for being self-reliant and encouraged them to work hard in order to contribute towards the country’s economy. Ends