12 Sep 2022

Young people have been advised to document their villages’ history to not only preserve it, but also create employment.

Kanye South MP, Dr Lemogang Kwape, said preserving the rich history that Bangwaketse pride themselves in could also be a way for the youth to sustain themselves.

Dr Kwape made the remarks at the Motswedi Synod, United Congregational Church of Southern Africa (UCCSA) annual fundraising and heritage walk whose aim was to raise funds to sustain the church’s various projects.

The projects include Kgodisong Orphanage and Day Care Centre, poultry and garden project, Lephoi Centre for the Blind and Sedibeng Skills Training Centre.

Dr Kwape, also foreign affairs minister, said one of the solutions to youth unemployment was fostering strong ideas that could eventually create jobs for others.

He said the youth could document such history and knowledge then share it with other people for a fee.

He commended the church for its commitment to preserving its heritage and the synod for contributing to sustainability of existing socio-economic projects.

“I wish to encourage the congregation to continue with this noble gesture and implore all to take pride in those projects as you continue ensuring that they continue to operate,” he said.

For his part, Men’s Fellowship member from James Good Memorial Church, Mr Kebonyekgosi Ntebele, who was the chief walker, said doing God’s work and abiding by his principles was difficult.

He, therefore, encouraged UCCSA to continue with the spirit of doing good for the benefit of others, saying that was a cornerstone of Christianity.

Mr Ntebele commended the church leadership for assisting in building the nation and the pivotal role the church played in the education and health sectors.

“It is befitting for us as congregants to celebrate the milestones that we have achieved so far and also celebrate the founders of the church for the legacy and the remarkable milestones that they achieved in their time,” he said.

Meanwhile, Kgolagano Centre’s principal, Reverend Dr Prince Dibeela shared that UCCSA was founded by the London Missionary Society in Kanye in 1824, following the arrival of Robert Moffat and his team, who forged relations with Kgosi Makaba II of Bangwaketse.

He said his desire was to have other Batswana tribesmen such as Sebobi, Thomas Lebalwe and Paulo Molefane, who contributed to the founding of UCCSA in Botswana to also be recognised.

“These men have worked tirelessly. They were noble, resilient preachers and evangelists for Bangwaketse and they should never be forgotten,” he said.

Dr Dibeela said other champions whose contribution to the church had also contributed to the national vision included, former President of Botswana, the late Sir Ketumile Masire. 

He said Sir Ketumile was a main preacher during the formative years of the church and eventually became a statesman.

“One of our blessings, which we also need to highlight, was that Kgosi Bathoen Gaseitsewe was a devoted Christian, who was committed to God’s work and also a musician. This is just some of the heritage which we also need to preserve,” he said. 

He further encouraged the congregants to have a strong affection for Setswana hymns. Ends