16 May 2021

Kanye South MP, Dr Lemogang Kwape, has commended Lions Club Gaborone for assisting those in need.

Dr Kwape, who is also Minister of International Affairs and Cooperation, said this at Lotlhakane East kgotla recently where he received four wheel chairs on behalf of the e community from the club’s leadership.

“This reflects virtuous commitment of the club’s mission to assisting the community despite COVID-19 pandemic challenges,” he said.

The MP was grateful for the club’s continued support and further thanked donor companies that assisted the club to achieve its mandate amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

Dr Kwape further encouraged companies involved to continue reaching out to those in need because government alone could not manage.

Meanwhile, Dr Kwape informed constituents that developments were bound to lag behind due to setbacks caused by COVID-19 pandemic.

He said budget allocations for this year reflected that there would be minimal developments in the village, adding that this would in turn affect employment creation.

“We will have to prioritise on our developments with consideration of the limiting budget that we possess,” he said.

Also, Dr Kwape said he was aware about the issue of water shortage in the village.

To remedy the situation, he said Water Utilities Corporation (WUC) was assisting through provision of water bowsers.

“While this is the case, there are some delinquents with habit of harvesting the water with the aim of selling it or feeding their livestock. We urge all to desist from that,” he said.

He also appealed to the police to assist in apprehending those in breach while government prepared commissioning of water through the North-South Carrier.

Dr Kwape admitted that there were many grievances from the public in relation to developments, but government had prioritised the fight against COVID-19 pandemic.

“Government is facing a critical challenge as COVID-19 has had a significant negative impact on the domestic economy,” he reiterated.

He indicated that the national income had diminished since commodities such as diamonds, which generated revenue for the country, had recognised decline of purchases as a result of coronavirus.

For her part, Lions Club president, Ms Keratilwe Bodilenyane, said their wish was to see wheelchairs  assisting those with challenges of mobility.

She said receipients would be independent to conduct their lives’ demand and also reduce contact with their assistants in this challenging time of COVID-19.

 

“Our journey to assists with provision of wheelchairs continues. We are therefore pleading with potential individuals and companies who are interested in sponsoring such endeavours to reach out to us and donate through this project,” she said. BOPA