09 Feb 2014

President Lt Gen. Seretse Khama Ian Khama has praised organisations that continue to help uplift lives of the needy and disadvantaged members of society.

Speaking after receiving a cheque of over P300 000 from ZimBots Golf Society in Gaborone on February 7, President Khama, who is also the founder and patron of Sponsor-A-Child Trust, said he was delighted by the generous gesture which would go a long way towards achieving some of the pillars of Vision 2016.

He said he was happy to see many people and non-governmental organisations coming forth to show a compassionate and caring spirit towards disadvantaged members of the community.

Sponsor-A-Child Trust chairperson, Ms Dorcas Makgato-Malesu said the trust had decided to embark on some community work as part of their corporate social responsibility.

Ms Makgato-Malesu said some of the beneficiaries included Childline, Bana ba Metsi, Stepping Stones, SOS, Kamogelo, Phodisong Centre and Masiela Trust Fund.

Ms Makgato-Malesu, who is also the Minister of Trade and Industry, explained that Sponsor-A-Child Trust was targeting a wide variety of other charities, adding that the money raised last year was significant.

She appealed to Botswana and Zimbabwe golfers to nurture the partnership and raise more money to assist deserving children in Botswana.

The ZimBots chairperson, Ms Maria Machailo-Ellis said the society was committed to holding the golf day annually to raise money for Sponsor-A-Child Trust. She noted that last year they raised over P270 000.

She said the idea of a golf day by ZimBots to reach out to disadvantaged children aged between 1-12 years came in 2012, and was followed by the staging of a golf day in 2013.

Ms Machailo-Ellis stated that the proceed from the golf day would go towards ensuring that local children were provided with the necessary means and provisions to  enable them to lead happy and healthy lives.

The golf day attracted the participation of numerous local businesses, organisations, philanthropists and avid golfers with an interest in investing in Botswana and Batswana.

Apart from receiving the cheque, President Khama also handed prizes to different golfers that included the longest drive which was won by Ms Machailo-Ellis and Ms Minkie Molatlhegi.

Other prizes went to Tshepo Tumedisang, while the prize for the nearest pin for men was scooped by Mr Keith Vincent. There was also the traditional longest day prize, which was won by Mr Letts Wachaga.

ZimBots Golf Society is a Botswana registered society whose primary mandate is to promote the game of golf with members from afar afield as Zimbabwe, Japan, Botswana, America, and Japan. ENDS