16 Mar 2014

Lobatse youth have hailed President Lieutenant General Seretse Khama Ian Khama and government for commitment to sport and youth causes.

That came after President Khama donated three football kits and balls to three youth teams in Lobatse during a walk about in the town on Saturday, March 15.

Lobatse Youth Football team captain, Tumelo Mabe said President Khama’s gesture was a shot in the arm for his youthful team that used to play without a proper kit.

Mabe said the donation would give the team the necessary push to commit to sport, get out of the streets and delinquent activities in the process.

Big Six Football team captain, Onalenna Kebabope also echoed the same sentiment about President Khama’s gesture.

Kebabope further described the move as a practical show of commitment by government to the ideals of vision 2016, youth and sport.

The visiting Lejwana Football Club captain, Kesaobaka Nko, said the donation was an open declaration of a wish to see talented young Batswana earn a living through sport, thus promised to put it to good use.

Meanwhile, President Khama also visited among others, a 73-year-old Mr Kganelo Serufeng of Botoka ward who stayed in a shack and promised to build him a decent accommodation unit once he has a plot of his own.

Thus, he urged Lobatse Town Council to facilitate a move to acquire Mr Serufeng land where the house would be built through the Presidential housing appeal initiative.

Residents also hailed President Khama’s walk abouts as a rare platform for ordinary citizens to share their everyday experiences with a Head of State, something others could only wish for in other countries. Mrs Virginia Coangae of Thema, who could not hold back her tears, said the visit was an honour for ordinary citizens to see President Khama eyeball to eyeball and share their wishes and aspirations. She said the gesture also reawakened a sense of belonging and patriotism among Batswana.

President Khama visited Botoka ward, Newlook, Thema, Peleng East and West where he further donated lamps and blankets to residents and P400 to a destitute family in Peleng. ENDS