25 Apr 2022

The Divine Mercy statue erected at Holy Family Catholic Church in Letlhakane, reportedly the tallest in Africa, has the potential to boost the country’s economy.

  Visiting the church on the occasion of Divine Mercy Sunday on April 24, Vice President Slumber Tsogwane said Botswana stood to gain from pilgrimages to the site by Christians from other countries.

 The vice president therefore encouraged Christians and members of the public to visit  the statue, in faith.

He emphasised the importance of faith explaining that the statue symbolised Jesus Christ.

Mr Tsogwane also implored the public to respect and protect the statue.

Echoing Mr Tsogwane’s words that the statue could boost the country’s economy, Minister of Environment and Tourism Ms Philda Kereng encouraged the church leadership to promote the site in a significant manner.

Boteti youth could survive through selling Divine Mercy Statue merchandise such as key holders, t-shirts, umbrellas, masks and doing photo shoots, she said.

Ms Kereng stated that the statue was in line with government’s objective to grow the tourism industry.

The aim, she said, was to diversify the economy through the introduction of different types of tourism including cultural, sports and religious.

Ms Kereng noted that tourism attracted large numbers of people suggesting that visiting game parks  could be linked to visits to religious sites.

The Botswana Diamond story could be linked to the diamond museum in Orapa, Orapa Game Park, mines and the Divine Mercy Statue, she said.

Ms Kereng said it was therefore crucial to have a trail of local tourism sites when selling the country.

Batswana, she said, should be able to sustain their lives through tourism.

Bishop of Francistown Diocese Right Reverend Anthony Rebello said the site was a good place for a pilgrimage in order for people to experience God and receive the lord’s mercies.

Giving the background to the Divine Mercy image, Bishop Rebello said Jesus appeared to a Polish nun named Sister Faustina and dictated details of the picture to her  requesting that it be drawn.

Describing the image as powerful, he urged Christians to display it in their houses and vehicles.

Sister Faustina was also told that a Divine Mercy Prayer should be done every day at 3 o’clock because Jesus died at that hour, Bishop Rebello said.

Divine Mercy publicity secretary Mr Tshekatsheko Setlhomo, explained that the statue was a religious monument, symbolising and in recognition as well as appreciation of God’s abundant love and mercy unto humanity.

He said the statue effectively facilitated evangelism of the gospel of Jesus Christ and would at all times serve as an inspiration and remembrance of the lord.

Mr Setlhomo said the statue had the potential to turn Letlhakane into a significant Catholic shrine attracting pilgrims in the region and beyond.

Sculptor Mr Michael Tamocha said the statue erection project started in 2014 with Father Monnamongwe Letsatle requesting him to design a structure that could be both  communicative and educative.

He explained that the plan took long because the statue had to bear a human face adding that  bending into position tiny round bars used in the construction was not an easy task.

The plan and design had to be well executed, he said, stating that drawing and scaling required a creative mind.

The structure  took six years to complete. Ends