18 May 2022

Pentecostal church members across Botswana now have a cooperative society that will help them to participate in the financial sector and not being mere onlookers.

The Apostolic Faith Mission (AFM) Church launched the cooperative society on Saturday and said its membership would be extended to all Pentecostal church members.

Emang Savings and Credit Cooperative Society (SACCOS) was born out of the idea to build a financially sound Christian community.

Officiating at the launch, church elder, Mr Andrew Tladi said it was important for Christians to participate in the country’s financial sector instead of being bystanders.

He said COVID-19 brought challenges in the financial well-being of people and that the opportunity presented by SACCOS should be nurtured to make an impact on Christians livelihoods.

Mr Tladi appealed to church members to ensure that Emang SACCOS became an epitome of a successful business within the Christian community.

He appealed for financial prudence and advised them to formulate statutes that would make it a notable, reputable and profitable entity.

He also appealed to members to collaborate with other entities in the financial sector in order to learn good practises and to influence the country’ financial sector policies and laws.

Meanwhile, Kgatleng District Council chairperson, Mr Daniel Molokwe appealed for transparency and accountability to ensure that the Lord’s name was not cursed.

He commended the church for the initiative, saying it would take Christians out of poverty as the country was still reeling from the shocks of the COVID-19 pandemic.

“I call upon each member to ensure that there is accountability so that we see tangible results on the lives of Emang SACCOS members,” he said.

Emang SACCOS interim chairperson, Mr Calico Raborophi said the idea to form a cooperative society was the brainchild of a group of AFM adults and youth in Mochudi back in the 1990s under the leadership of the late Bishop Michael Gaotloge.

He said the decision to formally register Emang SACCOS was reached following challenges presented by COVID-19 pandemic, and that Mr Botshabelo Mafatlane who was the former coordinator of cooperatives helped to enhance their knowledge on cooperatives. “He lectured us freely and Emang was formally registered in January 2022,” he said.

For his part, Kgatleng regional cooperatives officer, Mr Boikaego Masonya urged  them to follow financial laws and to subscribe to the rules and regulations of the financial sector.

He noted that they were now a legal entity and that they should have a regulating board and committee members. Ends