06 Nov 2022

Government supports any gesture that is aimed at developing citizens.

Speaking at the handover ceremony of a corporate social responsibility project by Botswana Housing Corporation (BHC) in Gabane on Friday, Assistant Minister of Local Government and Rural Development, Ms Talitha Monnakgotla said human development was one of the priority areas for government.

She said the handing over of a kitchen and its equipment to Sedibeng Sa Lerato Community Trust was a heartwarming gesture that would give beneficiaries dignity.

Sedibeng Sa Lerato Community Trust is an orphanage and vulnerable children centre founded by the Mogapi family in Gabane.

Through the help of good Samaritans, the family has been preparing and providing food for children at their own expenses.

The children come from various backgrounds and situations.

Most of whom are unable to access basic services.

The Trust’s main objective is to address mostly the crucial need and problems of orphaned and vulnerable children from as early as two-14 years.

When acknowledging the project, area Member of Parliament, Mr Kagiso Mmusi said the centre had grown in leaps and bonds.

He applauded the unwavering commitment and support from the business community who saw the project grow from humble beginnings to an established entity.

He said the mandate of the centre brought dignity to the Gabane community.

BHC acting chief executive officer (CEO) Mr Nkaelang Matenge said the corporation moved swiftly after requests were made by the centre to erect a permanent structure.

“The project was awarded to a citizen-owned company at a total sum of P284 593.

The project involved the construction of a kitchen and associated equipment and external works.

It was commissioned in February 2022 and was to be completed in 13 weeks,” he said.

Mr Matenge said due to some challenges the project was only completed in June.

He said in addition to the cost of the kitchen the corporation decided to spend over P60 000 on the main hall and ablution block, which required additional works such as plumbing and painting.

He said initiatives such as their CSR project had an economic impact on the community as citizen economic empowerment as well as job creation were government’s aspirations.

For his part BHC board chairperson, Mr Moemedi Gabana said the corporation subscribed to government’s citizen economic empowerment initiative, hence the need to jump at the opportunity to assist vulnerable members of the communityr.

“We believe that it is critical for entities such as BHC to lead by example and be good corporate citizens, hence our decision to partner with Sedibeng Sa Lorato and donate towards its worthy cause.

It is also very important for organisations to assist government and continuously monitor their effect on the environment, the people, communities, their health and overall wellbeing,” he said.

Mr Gabana said in supporting initiatives such as Sedibeng Sa Lorato, the corporation was sowing a seed of hope upon the nation and urged other corporations to take up the challenge and play a part in ensuring that future generations were sustained.

Sedibeng Sa Lerato chairperson, Ms Martinah Mogapi said the centre was currently taking care of 164 children.

She said her family moved swiftly to assist vulnerable children upon her retirement from her formal employmnt as a health worker.

Ms Mogapi said life challenges demanded concerted efforts from all stakeholders and urged the business community to assist such noble causes. ENDS