09 Jun 2025

 Minister of Sport and Arts, Jacob Kelebeng has hailed the Motswasele Women’s Club for its continued efforts to uplift youth and promote sports development.

Addressing a gathering during the official launch of the second annual Motswasele Family Fun Day in Molepolole at Motswasele community grounds, the minister described the event as a powerful platform for nurturing talent, promoting social inclusion, and strengthening families, ideals aligned with Vision 2036 and the ministry’s mandate.

“You are deliberately moulding the next Letsile Tebogo or Isaac Makwala,” said Kelebeng, emphasising the role of sport in youth empowerment, crime prevention, and economic diversification.

 “A free mind is not the devil’s workshop if we keep our youth engaged and inspired,” he emphasised.

Kelebeng said this year’s fun day coincided with global efforts to use sport for peace and inclusion. He referenced the recent International Day of Sport for Development and Peace, reinforcing the day’s relevance in promoting unity and equal opportunity regardless of age or gender.

Minister Kelebeng praised the Motswasele Women’s Club’s motto, “We incubate and nurture, we ignite potential,” and singled out key contributors, including Neo Sebolao, for her consistent support through sponsorship of trophies, medals, and logistics.

He also commended the collaboration between the Women’s Club and the Motswasele Neighborhood Watch, applauding their commitment to community safety and youth protection.

The minister officially launched the event and called on the business community to follow the example set by residents in supporting grassroots development.

Molepolole South MP, Shima Monageng praised the residents for organising the event without seeking government funding.

He said in most cases, people waited for government support but the Motswasele community had shown that self-reliance was possible.

“Let us continue to unite and build our village and remove the stigma that Molepolole is known only for negative news,” he said.

Monageng also urged parents to set positive examples at home to raise responsible children who would contribute meaningfully to society.

MP for Molepolole North,  Arafat Khan assured residents that he would partner with the Motswasele Neighborhood Watch to further grow the event.

“This is a noble initiative and I am committed to helping it become even bigger next year,” he said.

Youth representative Loago Mmutle, speaking under the Motswasele youth motto “I am different. You?”, called on her peers to be trailblasers and lead by example.

“We must be the kind of youth that does things differently, that stands out, and that uplifts our community,” she said.

Chairperson of the Motswasele Women’s Club, Beauty Lekone shared the vision behind the initiative saying the neighbourhood watch was formed in June 2023, and from there the women’s club was born.

She further said they then realised that they had left out the youth and therefore this year they focused on including them in different activities such as nurturing their talents through sport and drama.

Lekone added that the group hopes to expand next year’s event to include neighboring wards and called on potential sponsors to support their growing efforts. ENDS