28 Apr 2026

Bagodi Savings and Credit Cooperative Society (SACCOS) has been encouraged to build enterprises that create jobs, sustain livelihoods and strengthen the communities.

Director in the Department of Cooperative Development, Ms Moipidi Nkwane made the call at the recent launch of the newly registered Bagodi SACCOS (formed by retired police officers) in Palapye.

Ms Nkwane implored Bagodi SACCOS members to aim to make a difference and touch lives through their society and utilise their cooperative identity as a source of strength to secure the welfare of the members while contributing meaningfully to the national agenda of economic empowerment and sustainable development.

She also encouraged them to model Bagodi SACCOS to live up to its name ‘the older generation’ by honouring the past, safeguarding the present and creating a resilient and inclusive future.

“The strength we carry into retirement is sufficient to make us proud, secure and able to enjoy our lives with dignity. Yet, let us also remember that in African tradition, responsibilities do not end with retirement. Respect is sustained not by age alone, but by remaining resourceful and purposeful. A retiree who is broke and disengaged risks losing the honour that comes with years of service,” she said.

She therefore appealed to members to use Bagodi SACCOS as a platform to transform their collective discipline into economic resilience, through fruitful deliberations guided by wisdom and a shared vision for growth and prosperity.

Ms Nkwane said the launch of Bagosi SACCOS marked the beginning of a transformative journey, where collective vision and unity as retired police officers would now be channelled into building financial empowerment, solidarity and sustainable livelihoods.

She congratulated Bagodi SACCOS members for the remarkable step that they had taken, adding that what began as an informal modest scheme had now transformed into a registered cooperative society, reflecting their discipline, foresight and commitment to sustainability.

She said by choosing the cooperative path, they had secured a foundation for their own livelihoods while setting an inspiring example of resilience and innovation for others.

“Through this SACCOS, you have demonstrated that service to the nation does not end with retirement, it continues in building prosperity, uplifting communities and leaving a lasting legacy,” she said.

Ms Nkwane stated that the Ministry of Trade and Entrepreneurship, supported Bagodi SACCOS for its alignment with national economic goals and urged the cooperative to prioritise women recruitment to enhance diversity and sustainability.

She noted that ahead of them lied a mammoth task of implementation and compliance, with responsibilities and accountabilities that cannot be taken lightly.

Furthermore, she emphasised that the prosperity and sustainability of their SACCOS would depend on building a strong governance foundation to ensure transparency in operations and adher faithfully to cooperative principles and values.

However, she assured them that while such may sound straightforward given the discipline and background of their membership, cooperating for a good cause was not always easy.

She urged them to build and sustain a culture of accountable leadership, robust financial management systems and operations guided by sound policies and regulations.

She added that compliance with anti-money laundering, countering the financing of terrorism and counter proliferation financing protocols, together with respect for prudential requirements, must be at the heart of their operations.ends