03 Jun 2026

It takes strict management of resources to weather the prevailing economic storm and enhance future stability, Minister for State President, Defence and Security Mr Moeti Mohwasa has said. Speaking at the 9^th Thuto SACCOS 2026 Annual General Meeting in Gaborone recently, he said true stability came from continuous financial literacy and offering returns that made member savings worthwhile. 

“I am very pleased to note your Premium Savings Account, which promotes fixed deposits attracting a highly competitive annual interest rate of slightly over 10 per cent. I urge every member here to embrace the culture of saving, no matter how small the amount, because the little you set aside today, secures your tomorrow,” he buttressed.

Mr Mohwasa said the SACCOS movement could undeniably be a primary engine for national economic transformation, massive job creation and poverty alleviation if managed well.

Historically, he said cooperative societies were formed by rural struggling, yet, deeply enterprising communities.

“They fostered the spirit of collaboration, raised livelihoods and left an enduring legacy of self -reliance long before and during our diamond boom,” said Mr Mohwasa.

But today, the minister said the same spirit of community enterprise was poised to serve the modern generation well, as a powerful catalyst for economic diversification.

For her part, the outgoing Thuto SACCOS chairperson, Ms Karabo Morule-Segobye, said domestic and global pressures had occasionally pushed figures higher as they endured high inflation, directly impacting households by eroding purchasing power and increasing the cost of daily essentials.

Ms Morule-Segobye said Thuto SACCOS had remained an anchor of stability.

“Our strategic focus has been to ensure the society remains operationally self-sufficient while continuing to provide constant real benefits to you, our members,” she said.

By carefully managing capital structure, Ms Morule-Segobye said they had shielded their members from the harshest economic shocks, ensuring that their savings continued to work for them.

She also said their performance over the last fiscal year was a testament to their collective strength.

She further said that Thuto SACCOS had achieved a level of fiscal precision that placed them at the forefront of the cooperative movement.

“In terms of capital assets, our total actual assets reached P141 535 018 representing a 96.7 per cent achievement of our strategic target. In terms of revenue generation, we realised a total revenue of P22 999 752 aligning with our budget at a remarkable precision rate of 99.99 per cent. This revenue growth is the engine that allows us to fund our operations and also return value to you,” she declared.

Ms Morule-Segobye said they were looking to expand the common bond and proposed opening it to cater for the nuclear family thereby making their society more inclusive by allowing the benefits of digital cycles to extend to member spouses and children as well as improving the well-being of member families.

Thuto SACCOS boasts of close to 7 000 members who are civil servants and retired civil servants.

The 2026 AGM culminated with Executive and Supervisory committees elections which saw Mr Charles Keikotlhae assuming the office of chairperson while Mr Layani Elias took office of assistant chairperson.

Other newly elected members include, Ms Dorah Letsholo, Mr Mothusi Sekgetle, Mr Lucky Lekote, Ms Kobontle Kgakge, Mr Knowledge Basupi and Ms Mpho Kabelo. ENDS