01 Oct 2024

Minister of Education and Skills Development has commended Ditladi Farmers Association for its thougtful act of kindness.

Dr Douglas Letsholathebe said this during Independence Day celebrations following food hampers and mattresses to the elderly of Ditladi by the farmers association

He said their action had inspired others to give to those in need, creating a ripple effect of kindness and compassion throughout the village.

“The generosity by Ditladi Farmers Association during the Independence Day celebrations would always be remembered as a shining example of compassion and care for others,” he added.

Dr Letsholathebe further indicated that in a bid to provide a stronger support for the elderly population of Botswana, the government had introduced programmes and policies aimed at improving their overall well- being and quality of their lives.

He said these initiatives, such as the old age pension allowance and the war veterans allowance underlined government’s commitment toward ensuring a comfortable and dignified life of the senior citizens of this country.

The initiatives, he said showed a significant milestone in government’s effort to addressing the needs of elderly.

He said the allowances enabled them to meet their basic needs and maintain a decent standard of living as they age gracefully.

He said government’s proactive stance in implementing these programmes highlighted its commitment to promoting social welfare and inclusivity for all members of society, including the elderly.

By prioritising the needs of the elderly population and providing them with the necessary support and resources, he said, government wanted to ensure that they lived their golden years in comfort and security.

Furthermore, he said these initiatives underscored government’s recognition of the valuable contributions and wisdom that elderly individuals brought to the society.

He said the initiatives served as a testament to government’s dedication to fostering a society that valued and cared for its senior citizens, to ensure that they were able to age with dignity and security.

Meanwhile, Ditladi Farmers Association chairperson and founder, Ms Lilian Mosweu said the association made a decision to honour the elderly, looking at the contribution they made for Botswana to attain independence.

Ms Mosweu said it was the wisdom and guidance of the elderly that had inspired the people of Botswana to rise up against colonial rule and fight for their independence.

“They had been the pillars of strength, the voices of reason, and the custodians of tradition during the tumultuous years leading up to Botswana›s independence in 1966,” she said.

She further appealed to Non-Governmental organisations, the private sector, church denominations and individuals to join forces with government to ensure that senior citizens were provided for without fail.

She said currently, there was no a single old age village for the elderly in Botswana, calling for the establishment of such.

One of the beneficiaries of the donation, Ms Gaile Senthuthe aged 96, who could not contain her excitement and gratitude towards the gesture, commended the association for the act of kindness bestowed upon her and others in the community, adding that it had provided them with a sense of dignity..

Dr Letsholathebe also donated 30 blankets to the elderly on top of the 30 bed mattresses and food hampers worth close to P15 000 donated by Ditladi Farmers Association. Ends