11 Jul 2023

 There is urgent need for a corporate social responsibility law that will ensure companies give back to the communities in which they operate, City of Francistown mayor, Mr Godisang Radisigo, has said.

Giving a vote of thanks on Monday July 10 at the MABU hand over of hampers and key essentials to the first baby to be born at Nyangabgwe Referral Hospital in 2023, Mr Radisigo said some companies were reluctant to give back to communities despite making huge profits. 

However, he commended companies that gave back to communities, saying they heeded government’s call to partner in fighting poverty. MABU, launched in 2022, is an initiative of the Ministry of Health and the South African High Commission that celebrates the birth of the first baby born in a new New Year in the country. Baby Masego Wandipa was born on the first of January 2023 at 0011hrs in Nyangabgwe Hospital beating other babies born in other 17 health facilities across the country. 

Speaking at the event, South African High Commissioner to Botswana, Ms Thaninga Shope-Soumah thanked key stakeholders and sponsors of the project, whom she said had ensured the project was a success. Providing an overview of the project, MABU Project manager, Ms Gomolemo Madikgetla said donations were strictly in kind as no monetary donations were accepted for the project. 

She explained that the main objective of the initiative was to enhance the spirit of BOTHO. Ms Madikgetla said communities were encouraged to help celebrate life and join hands in assisting each other especially after the COVID-19 pandemic, which dented the economy. 

For his part Mr David Mokibe, Accounts Manager for Glover Botswana, which is one of the sponsors, called on other organisations to follow suite and donate to the initiative. Baby Wandipa’s mother, Ms Thato Lulu, who could not hide her excitement, thanked sponsors for their generosity. ENDS