22 Oct 2025

 Morupule Coal Mine has built a fully furnished two-bedroom house worth P560 000 to a family of eight in Serorome ward in Palapye.

Handing over the house donation on Friday, Minister of Water and Human Settlement, Mr Onneetse Ramogapi commended the mine for the noble gesture.

He said the gesture of good spirit exhibited by the mine aligned with  government’s initiative of Bonno National Housing Programme, which aims to address the country’s housing deficit and promote social equity through various loan and development schemes.

Furthermore, Mr Ramogapi said housing was not just a basic need, but rather also a fundamental human right enshrined in  the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. He therefore said housing was crucial for dignity, health, and realisation of other rights.

 Housing is crucial for social stability and economic advancement and thus will always remain a priority, he added

“We are not just delivering a building today; we are together reinstating dignity, sowing a seed of hope, and strongly reaffirming our united dedication to inclusive growth and nation-building,” he stated.

In addition, he said the house hand over served as a strong testament to the efficacy of public-private partnerships, exemplifying what could be accomplished when government policies aligned with private sector efforts and authentic community spirit.

Minister Ramogapi lauded Morupule Coal Mine for their continued efforts of empowering and developing communities, noting that they illustrated how ethical leadership and community development can significantly change lives.  

“This commendable gesture of kindness stems from Morupule Coal Mine CEO’s cycling challenge of which the funds raised from the 2024 event were directed to build the two-bedroom house, which was finished in just two months,” he said.

For his part, Chief Executive Officer of Morupule Coal Mine, Mr Edwin Elias said they were dedicated to positively impacting the  lives of Batswana beyond their mining activities.

He shared that the handover marked a significant step in the right direction towards Morupule Coal Mine’s vision of creating sustainable communities, hence impacting positively on national development.

“We take pride in sharing that the house was built by local contractors. This was due to our goal of empowering our communities and supporting the overall economic progress and sustainability of our country. Morupule Coal Mine has engaged in partnerships and collaborations that bear fruits for our communities and would continue to step in authority” he said.

Palapye District Council chairperson, Mr Kabo Ketshogile, showered Morupule Coal Mine with praise for their consistent dedication to corporate social responsibility that focused on economic empowerment and community development, noting it had significantly benefited many.

“On behalf of the Palapye community, we are grateful for your support towards community advancement. The home you constructed as part of the Bonno Housing Programme stands as a symbol of hope and evidence of your commitment to the community you serve; you truly extend beyond coal. We applaud you for accompanying us on this journey and for genuinely partnering in the development,” he stated.

Appreciating the good gesture, recipient of the house Ms Koketso Keipeile, conveyed her heartfelt gratitude for the life-changing gift.

Teary eyed, she said the house provided not just security and comfort, but also gave hope for a brighter future to her children. BOPA