23 Jan 2014

The Minister for Presidential Affairs and Public Administration, Mr Mokgweetsi Masisi has presented spectacles to 32 visually impaired athletes in Gaborone.

The spectacles were donated by Regent Insurance and presented to athletes from Ledumang Primary School in Gaborone, Bothakga Primary School in Lobatse, Camphill Primary School in Otse and Segopotso Primary School in Kanye.

Minister Masisi commended Regent Insurance and Special Olympics Botswana for promoting sports among people living with disabilities. He said the donation was in line with the Vision 2016 pillar of making Botswana a caring and compassionate nation.

“We must pay tribute to these people and extol their strength of character because they are living a full and enjoyable life despite their disabilities,” he said.

Mr Masisi also encouraged Batswana to find talented students who might be out of school and encourage them to pursue their talents so that they could also benefit from government’s empowerment programmes.

He said sport was good for the nation as it was a form of rehabilitation that ensured that one could remain physically fit and live a productive life.

He also encouraged the athletes to improve on their achievements at the 2011 Special Olympics and aim for more medals in 2015. Also speaking during the event, Chairperson of Special Olympics Botswana, Mr Modise Maphanyane said in the last 10 years, they  made progress in removing stigma against people living with disabilities.

For his part, the managing director of Regent Insurance, Mr Abe Botes said his company was proud to be associated with people living with disabilities and encouraged the athletes to excel in sports. ENDS