REMARKS BY VICE PRESIDENT KEDIKILWE AT THE HANDING OVER OF A HOUSE AT SESE (Full Text) I am pleased to participate in yet another notable milestone by Cresta Marakanelo in response to the President’s Housing Appeal. On behalf of the government, I convey my sincere gratitude to Cresta Marakanelo for having pursued this initiative of building and furnishing this house valued at over P100,000. In February, 2014 I participated in a similar occasion in which Cresta Marakanelo donated a house to a needy Motswana in the village of Kalamare, in the Central District. You will appreciate that issues of charity have no district boundaries, as it is evident that we transverse the country in an endeavor to support fellow citizens who are in need. It is from that event that I reiterate the principle of, “creative altruism” in contrast with “destructive selfishness”, as espoused by none other than Martin Luther King Jr. “creative altruism refers to selfless concern for the wellbeing of others”. hence our gathering here today. The “creative altruism”, which we are embarking on today, is for Rre Gabaotshole Mokgatla. It was not easy to choose Mr. Mokgatla as a beneficiary amongst the many who also deserved consideration. A number of factors were taken into consideration for Mr. Mokgatla to benefit from Cresta Marakanelo. There is no need for undue elaboration. Fairness held sway. Since the inception of the Presidential Housing Appeal, 380 houses have so far been handed over to needy Batswana; 25 houses are under construction. These statistics are exclusive of similar initiatives which do not fall under the auspices of the Presidential Housing Appeal. The recent publication on the ‘Botswana Guardian’ newspaper headlined, ‘Khama’s appeal targets 500 houses by year end’, is worth recognizing, as the initiative has targeted a high number. I applaud the contributions on this endeavor from and by all and sundry, corporate and non-corporate, big and small, public or private. Key to it is the spirit behind it. The handover of this house is an endeavor towards the attainment of the Vision 2016 pillar of “a compassionate and caring nation”. Through Vision 2016, Botswana is strongly projecting its identity through various actions that express, nationhood and patriotic sentiments. The Managing Director has outlined different components of the Cresta Marakanelo’s Corporate Social Responsibility and it is pleasing to note that, that policy incorporates the plans and programmes aligned to Vision 2016. As a compassionate and caring company Cresta through this project, is participating in alleviating poverty and provision of social security to the elderly The ability of Cresta Marakanelo to partake in this endeavor is attributable to the contemporary socio-political environment of our country. I am proud to mention that, recently Botswana has been rated the best destination in the World for foreign investors, as espoused by the US-based Foreign Policy magazine that evaluated 112 countries. The context of success of Cresta in doing business in Botswana is related to this recent world ranking. Let us applaud our government and the people of Botswana, to include the (foreign) investors, as they play a pivotal role in providing feedback on how the socio-political environment reflects to the world. I have no doubt that this occasion will not only leave a long lasting impression on, Rre Gabaotshole Mokgatla, together with his immediate and extended family. Government continues to reform land administration for the benefit of Batswana. One such reform is the Land Administration Procedures, Capacity and Systems (LAPCAS). The benefits of this system are huge, and include; surveying of plots to know the plot extent and location; readily available evidence on how a plot was acquired, whether allocated by Bogosi or the Land Board; verification of proof of plot ownership, thereby minimising on plot ownership disputes; addressing of disparities brought by different land tenures; enables the use of tribal land as collateral by those willing to access assistance from financial institutions; and the development of a land information system to cover all land tenures. Rre Mokgatle’s family is therefore encouraged to register this plot with LAPCAS to enjoy potential benefits. I note that the Managing Director Rre Makaya has assured us of more projects of this nature in the areas where Cresta Marakanelo operates its businesses. I would like to quote from the book of Acts (Paul’s farewell to the Ephesian Elders), 34You yourselves know that these hands ministered to my own needs and to the men who were with me.” 35In everything I showed you that by working hard in this manner you must help the weak and remember the words of the Lord Jesus, that He Himself said, It is more blessed to give than to receive.” I am confident that with this noble gesture, Cresta as a company shall prosper for it is the generous that are blessed when they give the needy. In conclusion, what we are witnessing today is a commendable gesture made by Cresta Marakanelo Group to give Gabaotshole Mokgatla a sense of worth, self-esteem and pride. It is now my singular honor and pleasant duty to hand-over this house to, Rre Gabaotshole Mokgatla.
Posted on: Tue, 10 Jun 2014 13:36:38 +0000
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