27 Mar 2022

Kgolagano College graduates have been challenged to tackle Gender Based Violence (GBV) issues head-on as they convey the message of the Gospel to the people.

Officiating at a graduation ceremony in Gaborone on Friday, former Tlokweng Member of Parliament and also an elder at Dutch Reformed Church Mr Olebile Gaborone said the world was in a GBV tussle and graduates needed to ponder on such issues.

“As Ezekiel said in the scriptures, ‘can these dry bones live?’ We have been sent to the valley of GBV, therefore, graduates, ask yourself how you are going to breathe life into GBV victims,” he said.

He also said graduates needed to be mindful of the COVID-19 pandemic, which had contributed to the high number of GBV cases.

Mr Gaborone said the graduates should strive to rebuild communities, given devastations among families and churches.

United Congregational Church in Southern Africa (UCCSA)’s  Reverend Keleneilwe Kgerethwa advised graduates to transfer their knowledge and skills to God’s people.

“Devote yourself to the reading of the Word and go out and demonstrate faith over fear and remember that it is time to reach out to the the broken-hearted, especially after the COVID-19 pandemic,” Reverend Kgerethwa said.

Giving a brief history of the college, the Principal, Dr Prince Dibeela said it started in 1975 offering academic training in Theology.

He also said it was run by a board of Trustees that included the Botswana Council of Churches and Botswana Bible Society.

“Kgolagano College was established by African Methodist Episcopal Church, Botswana Diocese (Anglican), Church of God of in Christ, Evangelical Lutheran Church in Southern Africa, and the UCCSA,” Dr Dibeela said.

Dr Dibeela awarded certificates to 29 graduates in the field of Preaching, Certificate in Human Development and Rehabilitation, Music, Certificate, Diploma and Bachelor of Arts in Theology.

On behalf of the Graduates, Mr Boitumelo Rapitse assured the auddience that they would make a difference in people’s lives and transfer the knowledge they gained to the nation and leaders. ENDS