10 Jun 2021

Minister of Environment, Natural Resources Conservation and Tourism, Ms Phildah Kereng says her ministry is at the heartbeat of assisting the less privileged members of the society.

Handing over a refurbished self contained one room house to Mr Mpho Kebisi, a wheelchair user in Area S location in Francistown on Wednesday, Ms Kereng explained that her ministry would continue to help the disadvantaged members of the society.

“The government of Botswana has a standing commitment to ensure that the public service takes an active part in reaching out to the disadvantaged members of the community,” she added.

In this regard, she said all government institutions should undertake community service initiatives that contribute to the social upliftment of fellow citizens in localities that they served.

Ms Kereng said Botswana had developed a national Vision 2036 aimed at achieving Prosperity for All, by ensuring that no citizen is left behind in the socio-economic agenda of the country.

“We have made an undertaking as a nation that through this national vision, we shall uphold the values of a compassionate, just and caring society,” she added.

Minister Kereng explained that her ministry, through various departments, had for many years been involved in community service projects across the country in support of the socio upliftment of the needy members of society.

“Today we are gathered here in Area S to demonstrate the spirit of love and compassion to our brother Mpho,” she added. She explained that a safe and habitable shelter was one human basic need that provided digniy.

Ms Kereng thanked Hypro Company, which partnered with the Department of Waste Management and Air Pollution under her ministry to have seen it fit to give back to the community as part of its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiative.

She explained that through the Francistown office, the ministry had accomplished various community projects such as donations of toiletries to Nyangabgwe hospital paediatric ward in 2017, donation of sanitary pads and planting of 40 trees in Dukwi in 2019 and 2020 respectively. She appealed to the Francistown community leadership and Mr Kebisi’s family to ensure that the house was well maintained.

In his welcome remarks, Kgosi Mosarwe applauded Hypro Company for the gesture, adding that ‘it is the hand that gives that receives abundantly.’

Kgosi Mosarwe stated the refurbished house would give Mr Kebisi dignity and called upon other companies, organisations and individuals to follow suit.

Hypro Company’s operations manager, Mr Sinvula Sinvula also underscored the need for being compassionate to the less privileged members of society.

Mr Sinvula also appealed to other companies to identify such members and assist accordingly, adding that his company continues to do the same in the Chobe area on an annual basis.

Mr Kebisi’s aunt, Ms Yethukile Matenge, who could not hide her excitement, thanked the ministry and Hypro Company for the donation, saying her nephew would now live a dignified like any other citizen. Ends