29 Jan 2013

Recent rainstorm victims in the Ngami area have expressed gratitude to President Lt Gen. Seretse Khama Ian Khama for assisting them with food donations.

Receiving the food baskets which were delivered by the district commissioner’s office in Maun on behalf of the President, residents said the donation was testimony that he had their welfare at heart.

They said Maun wards like Sedie, Wenela and Senonnori were susceptible to natural disasters like floods and thanked the President for coming to their rescue.

North West District Commissioner (NWDC), Ms Bernadette Malala said the food baskets were intended to convey President Khama’s sympathy and also gave them moral support.

She said the torrential rains displaced 213 households in the Ngami area and 53 in the Okavango.

Ms Malala explained that 63 out of the total number came from Sedie Ward in Maun alone. She said the district disaster committee had earlier assessed all damaged property and delivered food baskets to those affected.

For his part, Mr Maeletso Pego from the National Disaster Management Office in the Office of the President urged all Batswana to take a cue from President Khama and assist those in need in any way they could. He said the gesture was also extended to other areas like Bobirwa, Nata and Boteti. Most of the shelters which were affected were traditional houses.

Mr Pego also advised the victims to make it a habit to renovate their thatched houses every year before the rains. “If well taken care of,” he said, “thatched houses could withstand extreme weather conditions.”

Kgosi Molehabangwe Setlhare of Sanyedi Ward in Maun also thanked the President for his kindness.

Meanwhile, Ms Malala explained that the victims were loaned tents as a temporary relief measure for three months, and advised them to take proper care of them.

She decried that in the past some flood victims who were provided with tents either sold or returned them in a bad state. She warned that her office would work hand in hand with police volunteers to ensure that tents were in good condition when returned. ENDS