03 Jul 2024

Government deserves praise for including freedom of religion in the constitution, aligning with the democratic principles that Botswana upholds since its independence.

During a graduation ceremony organised by Project 99%, a company owned by Right Reverend Dr Batshi Tsheole in collaboration with Azusa Academy of Excellence at the

Botswana Orthodox Church in Tonota on Saturday, MP for Tonota Mr Pono Moatlhodi highlighted the significant role that religion played in the lives of the majority of Batswana.

“Today is a symbolic day as we witness our graduates being certified and certified into leadership roles”, he added.

Mr  Moatlhodi advised graduates that as they become positioned into leadership roles they should remember that a leader in church must be honorable and subscribed to all the good deeds.

“Note that the church leadership is not any different from other leadership elsewhere”, he said

Mr Moatlhodi who is also deputy speaker of the National Assembly said he holds Botswana Orthodox Church of Tonota with high regards as it found it fit to successfully train some of its congregants into leadership positions.

For his part, Dr Tsheole encouraged graduates to use the acquired skills to uplift other churches and their communities.

He said some graduates were going to be able to start their own churches or help other churches in spreading the word of Christ.

Dr Tsheole further said education was important, and it was not supposed to be misused but to be used for the right purposes.

Ms Segametsi Motsumi, a Senior teacher from the guidance and counselling department of Letlhabile Junior Secondary School said graduates should use their knowledge to help bridge the gap of poverty, gender-based violence and crime through spreading the word to people of their communities.

She advised graduates to be able to balance both pastoral duties and those of homes and their communities.

A total of 26 were graduated in courses such as Bachelor of Arts Degree in Theology, Diploma in Theology, Certificate in Theology, and Advance Community Leadership.

Amongst some of the graduates were Kgosi Bokamoso Radipitse of Tonota who graduated with a Diploma in Theology and Kgosi Simon Nkgageng of Tatisiding who graduated with Advance Community Leadership Studies. ENDS