17 Mar 2014

Assistant Minister for Presidential Affairs and Public Administration, Mr Gaotlhaetse Matlhabaphiri has commended Botswana Savings Bank (BSB) for seeing it necessary to take part in President’s Housing Appeal initiative to provide shelter for those who are less privileged.

When officiating at the official handing over of a house to Ms Kokelo Setlhogile of Tshane in Kgalagadi North, Mr Matlhabaphiri said building houses for destitute shows a positive respond towards achieving some of the Vision 2016 pillars.  He said he was happy to see companies like BSB coming forth to show a compassionate and caring spirit towards disadvantaged members of the community.

He advised Ms Setlhogile to take care of the house as her personal property and insure that it was always in a good state. Mr Matlhabaphiri further pleaded with the public to help spread the message of the President Housing Appeal.

He also encouraged other companies to come forth and get involved in helping the needy. For his part BSB managing director, Mr Leatile Maine affirmed that they have built two destitute houses, one at Maroomabele which they handed over last week and the one in Tshane.

He also expressed gratitude towards Hukuntsi Sub District council and Village Development Committee (VDC) for assisting with identifying the beneficiary through in-depth assessment process.

Mr Maine noted that BSB saw it fit to assist the Setlhogile family as a way of their social responsibility and give them a more dignified status in the community.

The beneficiary of the house, Ms Setlhogile who is a mother of 12 and living with disability could not hold her joy but bust in tears of delight when ushered in to her new house.

She indicated that the house would restore dignity to her family since she has been sharing a one bedroomed house with her 12 children.

MP for Kgalagadi North, Mr Phillip Khwae also expressed his appreciation for the splendid work done by BSB saying it was such an honour for BSB to have chosen a beneficiary from Kgalagadi since the district was amongst the hardest poverty stricken areas in the country.

Mr Khwae highlighted that 21 destitute houses have been constructed and completed while other 21 are still under construction in Kgalagadi North.

He on the other hand expressed a concern towards poor academic performance by schools in Kgalagadi North, but however applauded the adopt a school initiative highlighting that it was a step in the right direction towards improving the education status particularly in rural areas. Ends