31 Oct 2022

Pensioners have been urged to seek alternative ways of earning income after formal employment.

Speaking during a fund raising walk for the Gamalete branch of the Botswana Civil Service Pensioners Association (BCSPA),  Ramotswa Member of Parliament, Mr Lefoko Moagi said after a distinguished service in the public service and earning income, pensioners should find alternative routes to raise income and realise their dreams.

The Gamalete branch hosted an eight-kilometre sponsored walk to raise funds to build a multi-purpose centre in the village that would be used by the elderly in their daily routines.

Mr Moagi encouraged workers to abide by the adage ‘retired and not tired’ and establish ways to raise funds and put a smile on their faces.

He welcomed the idea of engaging the elderly in physical activity, such as morning walks, as it helped in their effort to curb or reduce the impact of non-communicable diseases (NCDs).

He said lifestyle changes had given rise to high incidences of NCDs, hence the need to be physically active. Mr Moagi said the elderly endured long bouts of loneliness and it was encouraging to bring them together on a positive note.

He thus encouraged them to develop social interaction through initiatives such as walks, adding laughter and social interaction were the best medicines. Mr Moagi contributed P2 000 to the fund.

Kgosi Lemogang Dimpe said the walk, from the Boatle flyover to Emmanuel centre in Ramotswa, was an enduring task for people as old as 80, but was impressed by the commitment and gusto of the elderly.

He reiterated that NCDs were on the rise and urged old persons to take advantage of such initiatives to live a better life past their active days. One of the organisers of the walk and veteran journalist, Mr Dikarabo Ramadubu said a lot could be done to realise the dream of establishing an elderly centre.

He said the elderly were living lonely and desolate lives and it was upon the active members of the community to come to their rescue.

He urged the business community to come on board and assist such great initiatives as establishing a centre that would take care of the needs of the elderly.

Mr Ramadubu pledged to engage with the local authorities to realise the dream.

Secretary General of the BCSPA, Mr Tsumake Tsumake said the objective of the association was to bring pensioners together to avoid them being in isolation, adding that they had to break their daily routine and network with others. He said the BCSPA had 24 branches countrywide.

Mr Tsumake said their idea of setting up a centre would help them gather ideas from a pool of expertise amongst their retired members.

He said they had applied for a plot for such a project as far back as 2017 and were awaiting response from the Malete Land Board.

He said the sponsored walk was an annual initiative, which had been halted by the COVID-19 pandemic. ENDS