11 Jul 2021

The World Group of Companies donated clinic has been described as a noble cause that would go a long way in bringing services closer to the people of Molalatau and nearby villages.

Speaking at the official opening of Malema Makhura Memorial Clinic Saturday, Vice President Slumber Tsogwane says said the donation was in line with the National Vision 2036 pillar of Human and Social Development.

The clinic, named after the past villagekgosi, who is the grandfather to the current village leader, Kgosi Letso Malema, was built at a cost of P5 million. The construction of the clinic took seven months from the anticipated six, owing to COVID-19 distractions.

“This gesture also fits well in his excellency the President Dr Mokgweetsi Masisi’s road map,” Mr Tsogwane said, highlighting  that the President prioritised saving Botswana population through implementation of life-saving programmes that included a successful and timely vaccination programme.

Owing to their gesture, the World Group of Companies has been seen to be in synch with the ideals and aspirations of government in bringing health services to the people and also in saving people’s lives.

“The opening of the facility is a clear demonstration by government and our strategic partners that improving the healthcare delivery system in Botswana will remain one of our top priorities,” said Mr Tsogwane.

Mr Tsogwane further said the Malema Makhura Memorial Clinic ‘will in no doubt improve provision of quality healthcare services as well as provision of access to safe, effective, quality and affordable essential medicines and vaccines for many’.

Speaking at the same event, Minister of Health and Wellness, Dr Edwin Dikoloti found the World Group of Companies donation as a challenge to other development partners towards socio-economic development of the country.

“Construction of any health facility in Botswana helps advance the mandate of my ministry, which is bringing health services closer to the people,” said Dr Dikoloti.

Dr Dikoloti reiterated that the clinic served to advance government’s reprioritised agenda of saving lives of Batswana and residents from the COVID-19 pandemic.

Minister Dikoloti said the clinic came at a time when government struggled with meeting health demands of people of Molalatau to satisfaction, considering the smaller facility that existed prior to the donation.

The state of the art facility will provide general consultations, cervical cancer services, laboratory services and maternity wing services, among others.

For his part, Bobonong MP, Mr Taolo Lucas hailed the World Group of Companies for delivering a state of the art clinic at record time of seven months.

He challenged government to emulate the World Group of Companies in delivering projects at a shorter time and with a reasonable budget.

He argued that the same facility could have been implemented with a ballooned budget had it not been done by a private donor.

The legislator appealed to government to consider building the expected 70-bed hospital in Bobonong, a clinic in Tsetsebjwe and another in Borotsi when the financial situation improved.

Speaking on behalf of the World Group of Companies, former MP and Minister of Justice, Defence and Security, Mr Shaw Kgathi said the company prided itself in giving, a gesture he said was born from their religious belief that one who had enough should give to those who were in need.

The group that comprises Welcome Cash & Carry in Selebi Phikwe and Trade World, among others, is renowned for donating complete school uniforms around the country.

Mr Kgathi said the clinic came about after Molalatau leadership convened a meeting that resolved he sought assistance from the World Group of Companies for an improved health facility.

Mr Kgathi said had it been because of COVID-19, the clinic would have been delivered in anticipated six months and immediately handed to the community to enjoy. ENDS