06 Nov 2023

Dingwetsi Association of Botswana is doing a great job to restore the dignity of the marriage institution, says Assistant Minister of Local Government and Rural Development, Mr Sethabelo Modukanele.

Officiating at the annual general meeting of Dingwetsi Association of Botswana in Tamasane on Saturday, Mr Modukanele said family was the cornerstone of society and that his ministry was fully in support of the institution and unity. 

He said family was where values, love and understanding were forged.

He added that strong families built strong communities and in turn a strong nation. 

He emphasised that the theme: An Angry Nation is an Unforgiving One, resonated with the current state of the nation.

Mr Modukanele, who is also MP for Lerala/Maunatlala said such was illustrated by the rise in passion killings and murder cases in the country. 

He argued that it was a sign of anger that simmered beneath the surface.

He urged Dingwetsi to take a stand against the rising anger and violence in the country by building strong families. 

“Only when our families are strong and united can we truly overcome the challenges the country is facing,” said Mr Modukanele, emphasising the need to return to the values that had sustained the country for generations.

He said there was need to prioritise unity, love and understanding within homes, and that it could only happen by nurturing the values to build a forgiving nation.

Mr Modukanele urged them not to just celebrate, but to also beinspired by their values.

He also urged them to recruit the youth to the association as it could bring fresh ideas that could grow the organisation.

For her part, the founder of Dingwetsi Association of Botswana, Ms Grace Silver said their association was committed to building strong families and discouraging divorce.

She said it was a reflection of their collective responsibility to support and uplift one another.

The association, she said, was growing at a fast rate with members from all over the country and neighbouring countries like South Africa and Lesotho.

Ms Silver said the aim of the meeting was to come together and celebrate Dingwetsi month, which was a testament of their commitment to their values.

She said the association was concerned about the number of gender based violence (GBV) cases and that the majority of them showed that women and girls were victims of the vice while men were the perpetrators.

Ms Silver urged everybody to condemn love-related murders and encouraged those affected to seek guidance before taking wrong decisions. ENDS