05 Jul 2023

Mabu Project has been applauded for honouring babies born on January 1.

An official from the Office of the Deputy District Commissioner in Okavango, Mr Samuel Kenaape commended the initiative during the handing over of donations to the baby born in January 1 in the Okavango District Health Management Team (DHMT) recently.

Mr Kenaape said the donation was a noble gesture which was aligned to government’s goal of giving Batswana dignity.

He observed that such efforts from the private sector were commendable as they complemented government efforts.

“Eleven companies came together to ensure that first born babies were well taken care of for them to grow properly and become future leaders,” he said.

For her part, Woolworth Botswana General Manager, Ms Gorata Abotseng-Lekau explained  that the Mabu project was a collaboration between the South African High Commissioner to Botswana, Ms Thaninga Shope-Soumah and companies trading in Botswana to honour babies born on January 1 in all the DHMTs.

Ms Abotseng-Lekau said the initiative was birthed during the height of COVID-19 as a way to have something to celebrate in the midst of that misery.

She noted that the first event was held in 2022 with only seven companies participating and that companies had now increased to 11.

Ms Abotseng-Lekau said the number of babies born on January  1 also increased from 17 babies last year to 20 this year.

The donation, she observed, covered the needs of the baby and  that of the mother such as clothes and food.

She said going forward, the project would consider working closely with social and community development officers for assessment of the needs of the families prior to donations.

Family representative of the beneficiary, Ms Bonte Moangerwa said she was thankful to God and to the companies that made the donation possible. ENDs