02 Mar 2023

Kgosi Oral Mokgadi is the new chairperson of Serowe men sector committee .

His deputy is Mr Simon Baitshephi.

The duo was elected after Kgosi Daniel Orufheng and his deputy Mr Phillip Mokoto stepped down from their positions .

Kgosi Orufheng informed the commitee meeting in Serowe on February 28 that they faced a myriad of challenges, which made it difficult for them to execute their mandate. 

Among the challenges faced, he said, was reluctance by  some government departments to release their staff members, even those elected as committee members, to partake in men sector activities.

Kgosi Orufheng also cited poor communication between the committee and the mother body from office of the district commissioner, as well as shortage of transport and other resources as some of the challenges.

He further said there was visible friction among the committee members, with some not wanting to be advised. 

In his acceptance speech, Kgosi Mokgadi promised to work harmoniously and peacefully with the committee.

 He pleaded for support from the committee.

For her part, one of the advisors from Gender Affairs Department, Ms Abaleng Khombane said their intention was to visit areas where Gender Based Violence was prevalent to educate men on their role as family leaders.

 Ms Khombane said one of objectives of Men’s Sector was to ensure that men played a part in the reduction of new HIV infections of and other sexually transmitted infections.

She appealed to men to join Men Sector committees to contribute towards the reduction of HIV/AIDS, Gender Based Violence and mitigate the impact of social ills among the youth in Botswana. She also advocated for men’s involvement and mobilisation of the male population.

 “Membership to Men Sector is open to all male dominated organisations, their employees and their clients, she said.

The committee members drafted the 2023/24 annual plan, suggesting HIV/AIDS testing, testing at football tournaments, men sector wellness day, parents guidance workshop, dipitso tsa borre, visit to churches, lessons about teenage pregnancy and couple and partner testing as some of the activities they could undertake. END