04 Aug 2024

Sourcing information from relevant authorities is important as it puts one in good stead to make appropriate decisions.

As such people often failed to take advantage of different empowerment schemes because of flawed information received from unreliable sources.

CEDA’s Chief Operations Officer, Mr James Moribame said Delivering a keynote address at the end of a 10-kilometre sponsored walk for the Ranaka UCCSA branch on Saturday,

Mr Moribame said with the countless economic empowerment programmes that government had crafted, citizen-owned businesses could be mushrooming on a daily basis across the different sectors of the economy were people not skeptical of the initiatives due to them having been fed the wrong information.

“If you take Chema Chema for instance, you will realise that there is false information circulating that alludes that CEDA is not forthcoming with loans. Based on this, some people have decided, without seeking clarity from us, against applying for loans through the programme,” he said, observing that it was wrong to make decisions based on hearsay.

Mr Moribame, who spoke on behalf of CEDA CEO, Mr Thabo Thamane, commended the church for organising the sponsored walk, which he said gave CEDA an invaluable platform to share information on its programmes as well as dispel myths that continued to hamper many from accessing what the organisation had on offer.

Ranaka councillor Mothibedi Mothibedi urged believers not to shy away from using the economic empowerment programmes in place. 

He said with the different initiatives, government sought to revive and promote Batswana’s entrepreneurial spirit and set them on course to be the primary anchors of their country’s economy. 

The councillor, who donated P500 to the church, implored tthe attendants to make full and effective use of CEDA’s presence on the day to gather information on the programmes the entity offered that they could use to carve a better future for themselves. 

Mr Caster Mothibedi from African Mining Services (AMS), which operated the Motheo copper mine in Ghanzi, also applauded the church for hosting the annual event, saying the high prevalence of Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) called for among others, an active lifestyle.

Announcing the company’s P8 000 donation, he said it was pleasing that the church aimed to raise a wholesale believer who was healthy in every way possible.

Sharing the objectives of the walk, mission secretary of the church, Reverend John Motswai said it was meant to allow the church to reflect on its journey, particularly with respect to its contribution to society.

He said with a rich history that depicted the depth of the UCCSA’s contribution to Botswana’s development journey, it was only right that it introspected to determine how to find its way back to a point where it contributed more meaningfully to societal growth and development.

In an interview Reverend Monametsi Makwati, who heads the Ranaka branch, thanked CEDA for having agreed to come on board as the walk’s main sponsor.

He said the partnership was beneficial not only to the congregation but to the entire Ranaka community as it exposed residents to critical information that they would not easily get on CEDA programmes due to its lack of representation in the village.

On the sponsorship value, Rev. Makwati said the agency was yet to disclose the amount with which they would support the church and was optimistic that it would be communicated soon. Ends