Tshane Prison and Police revive clinic garden
05 Aug 2026
A rehabilitated vegetable garden at Tshane Clinic is now supplying fresh produce to Community Home-Based Care (CHBC) patients, in a project praised as a simple act with life-changing impact.
The initiative was led by Tshane Prison and Police officers who revived an abandoned garden to support nutrition for vulnerable patients in the community.
Speaking at the official handover, Kgalagadi North District Commissioner, Ms Veronica Rabakane, commended the Botswana Prison Service for responding to a genuine community need. “This is a demonstration that, as Batswana, we care for one another. I therefore implore you to continue supporting and caring for one another,” she said.
Ms Rabakane said the project reflected the aspirations of Vision 2036, particularly the goal of building a caring and compassionate nation. She added that it represented the kind of public service government seeks to promote, where officers use their skills to uplift communities they serve. She also addressed perceptions that officers deployed outside their home areas were not valued, saying:
“Unlike that misconception, public officers in Kgalagadi North are not rejects. They have what it takes to deliver quality services. I therefore urge our workers to continue serving with dedication and to earn their salaries with a clear conscience.”
Ms Rabakane further urged households to start backyard gardens to fight rising cases of malnutrition in the district, and encouraged parents to provide children with balanced diets. Senior Superintendent Mr Letsweletse Serara of Tshane Prisons said the project was initiated by the prison’s welfare committee after consultations identified the neglected clinic garden as the area where they could contribute most.
“After engaging the community, we identified the revival of the garden as the most outstanding need that we could assist with. We selected Tshane Clinic because preparations for a garden had already begun,” he said.
Mr Serara noted that proper nutrition is key to patient recovery, as fresh vegetables provide essential vitamins and minerals that strengthen the immune system. He commended officers for volunteering their time and pledged continued partnerships across Kgalagadi North.
While the garden may appear small, officials said its impact would be significant. Beyond producing vegetables, it has become a symbol of compassion, community partnership, and the role public institutions can play in development. As the first crops mature for harvest, the garden will do more than nourish CHBC beneficiaries. It stands as proof that acts of service do not have to be grand to make a difference — sometimes a seed planted and a community working together can yield the greatest harvest of hope. BOPA
Source : BOPA
Author : Thuso Kgakatsi
Location : Tshane
Event : Garden revival
Date : 05 Aug 2026
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