04 Apr 2023

As part of its corporate social responsibility and community outreach efforts, the Gambling Authority on Saturday painted Phaphane kgotla office and seven houses belonging to the less privileged at Mochudi’s Bophirima Ward.

The organisation also donated soccer kits to Mochudi First Division League teams, braille paper and recorders to Pudulogong Rehabilitation and Development Trust for the Blind learners.

Officiating at the event, MP for Mochudi West, Mr Mmusi Kgafela described the gesture as a positive move towards empowerment of communities.

He said companies should challenge themselves to improve or substantially contribute to the development and growth of the communities in which they operated.

“I therefore applaud the Gambling Authority for their gesture to remember the less privileged and use the little they have from their coffers to extend a helping hand,” he said.

Mr Kgafela, who is trade and industry minister,  said as companies set up operations in different areas, community members were becoming more adept at demanding and holding them accountable for giving back activities.

He encouraged community members to learn about the services offered by Gambling Authority saying gambling was not a bad thing as long as gamblers erred on the side of caution.

The authority’s acting chief executive officer, Mr Peter Kesetilwe said his organisation encouraged responsible gambling.

Gambling, he emphasised, was part of entertainment and should be treated as such.

He said only five per cent of gamblers were challenged while the rest were responsible.

Mr Kesitilwe said the gambling business in Botswana was dominated by foreigners and encouraged Batswana to venture into it.

Bakgatla deputy chief, Kgosi Bana Sekai commended the authority for its efforts and encouraged other companies to make assisting the disadvantaged  fashionable. ENDS