29 Aug 2023

The Church is a powerful tool and such should pray against social ills presently bedeviling Botswana.

The Minister of Education and Skills Development, Dr Douglas Letsholathebe, said churches provide safe spaces for youth to socialise and engage in positive activities as well as offering mentorship and counselling services.

Dr Letsholathebe said this during an event at the Healing Saint Apostolic Church branch in Tati siding on Saturday that churches play a powerful role in combating social ills among the youth.

He said churches provided a safe spaces for youth to socialise and engage in positive activities as well as offering mentorship and counselling services.

He said the church promoted values such as honesty, integrity, and respect through prayers and religious teachings.

He explained that churches could be a source of guidance, support and hope for young people.

Dr Letsholathebe said a prayer could be used for combating social ills by providing a sense of comfort and hope for those affected by social ills and to their love ones.

The founder of the Healing Saint Apostolic Church, Archbishop Tshenolo Pansiri, said the church formed in 2018 and officially registered in 2019 continued to grow given the number of branches so far established across the country.

Archbishop Pansiri explained that the church now prides itself of six branches, its headquarters in Serowe, Mahalapye, Mogoditshane, Kopong, Molepolole and Mogorosi.

He said the church was prepared and committed to fight all social ills, teenage pregnancy, drug abuse and passion killings, adding it also recognised the contribution of women in the development of the country as evidenced by appointed women bishops in his church.

Kgosi Simon Nkgageng said the role of the church in shaping society was a complex and multifaceted one.

Kgosi Nkgageng explained that the church helped in promoting moral and ethical values, such as honesty, compassion, and service.

He said the church also provided spiritual guidance and support for individuals and communities.

He also said the church worked hand in hand with the government for advocating for social justice and equality.

"It also serves as a catalyst for positive change in the community," he added.

He spoke of an increase in social ills across Botswana.

He appealed to different church denomination in Tati siding to come together and form various committees that could fight social illness in the village.

Meanwhile, Bishop Reuben Simon of Tati Siding branch presented Dr Letsholathebe with a sash which he said symbolised a number of things.

He explained that the sash could be used as a symbol of faith or devotion, worn by clergy members or congregants as a sign of their commitment to their beliefs.

“It is also a sign of appreciation and gratitude from the church which is a way to foster good relationships between the church and the government,” he said. “It is a gesture of respect and appreciation for the minister's work in the community.”

In response, Dr Letsholathebe donated P3 000 to the church and blankets to the elderly members of the church. ENDS