14 Apr 2025

Camp Logic Company in partnership with the Okavango Human Wildlife Foundation (OHWF) has constructed a two-room timber house valued at over P70 000 for 81-year-old Ms Magatalina Meroro and her nine children at Mapeno cattle post near Tsau. 

Ms Meroro’s family faced devastation when recent heavy rains flooded their house, causing it to collapse. The handover ceremony took place on Saturday, attended by district leadership, including Member of Parliament for Maun West, Mr Caterpillar Hikuama. 

Speaking at the ceremony,  Mr Hikuama commended both organisations for their quick response to the family’s plight, emphasising that adequate housing was a fundamental human need.

“Your efforts have demonstrated love, care, and humanity, pillars embraced by Batswana through traditional practices such as Mafisa and Molaletsa,” he said. 

Mr Hikuama noted that the new house would bring hope and stability to Meroro family, providing them with refuge during unfavourable conditions.  However, he called for a review of the settlement policy, which he said failed to aid residents in ungazetted areas, such as Ms Meroro’s, despite their dire situation. He said that all disaster victims deserved support, regardless of their geographical location.

Councillor Mr Gaapale Makudinyane echoed these sentiments, advocating for a policy revision to ensure rural communities received equal assistance and services compared to those in recognised villages. He stressed that living without proper housing contributed to economic exclusion, which could adversely affect various aspects of life.

Although the District Disaster Committee had suggested relocating Meroro family to Tsau, Mr Makudinyane expressed gratitude towards Camp Logic and OHWF for stepping in to provide a much-needed shelter. He highlighted that with the new home, the family would not only sleep peacefully but would also be safer from crime and harsh weather conditions.

Ms Kgomotso Morokotso, Camp Logic’s office manager, explained that their involvement stemmed from an outcry by a woman about the Meroro family’s plight while Camp Logic was engaged in rebuilding facilities for Ker & Downey, a company located nearby. 

Known for their expertise in camp construction and modular building solutions, Camp Logic and OHWF,  a foundation dedicated to sustainable solutions for communities affected by human-wildlife conflict saw the urgent need to provide a safe home for the family as part of their corporate social responsibility. 

The overjoyed Ms Meroro expressed gratitude, stating that the support from Camp Logic and OHWF had restored her family’s dignity when they had lost hope in finding assistance. In addition to the construction of the house, Camp Logic and Bathobotlhe Social Club also donated food hampers to support the family during this challenging time. ENDS