03 Mar 2014

Bango Trading Company, which is undertaking the maintenance of the road linking Sebina and Mulambakwena has donated six houses to some destitute persons in six villages through which the said road passes.

During a handing-over ceremony in Botalaote where one of the beneficiaries resides, a representative of the company Mr Moffat James said they had decided to build the houses in response to calls by President Lt Gen. Seretse Khama Ian Khama for all to play a role in restoring the dignity of the less-privileged by helping provide them with decent shelter.

He noted that the donation of the six houses had brought to nine the number of houses donated by Bango Trading Company; saying the first three houses had been built in Gweta, Serinane and Malwelwe.

Mr James informed the gathering at the ceremony that in deciding to build houses in Mulambakwena, Masunga, Vukwi, Kalakamati, Botalaote and Makaleng, the company had wanted to continue showing their dedication to being of service to the community.

He noted that by serving the society, they were not only enriching the lives of members of the community but they were in a way also enriching their own lives as employees of the company.

“We have a responsibility towards each other as people. These houses are a symbol of what we can achieve when we work together towards achieving a common goal,” he said, expressing optimism that the houses would give beneficiaries a hope for a better tomorrow.

On another note, Mr James applauded the beneficiaries for having shown remarkable resilience when faced with the hardships of life, urging them to view the houses as reflecting a new beginning for them.

For his part, the Senior Private Secretary to the President, Brigadier George Tlhalerwa commended Bango Trading Company for its positive response towards the President’s calls for the provision of decent housing for deserving individuals or families.

He said what the company had done was evidence of the benevolence that Batswana had always been known for. Brigadier Tlhalerwa explained that so far 372 houses had been built through the Presidential Housing Appeal. At the moment, 28 houses were being built in various parts of the country, he stated.

Speaking on behalf of her fellow beneficiaries, Ms Lucy Nsengaali of Botalaote expressed gratitude at what Bango Trading Company had done.

Earlier when welcoming guests to the event, Botalaote tribal leader Kgosi Mafolo Bila thanked companies and individuals who continued to go to great lengths to make life bearable for the less-privileged.

He said it would not have been possible for them as Botalaote residents to have helped one of their own the way Bango Trading Company had helped Ms Nsengaali. However, he expressed sadness that two of the six beneficiaries had passed on before they could enjoy staying in their houses.

The beneficiaries for Mulambakwena, Masunga, Kalakamati and Botalaote were present at the ceremony while those from Vukwi and Makaleng were represented by surviving relatives. ENDS