Botswana: Out of the twenty-three beneficiaries of the Bull Donation Initiative, only three are women. This morning, Mrs Bashani Chibole of Mmadikola in Boteti West Constituency became the third woman to benefit from President Masisi’s Bull initiative, which will see each constituency receiving at least one bull. The first two women were Ms Bothoboile Koorapetse of Mahalapye West and Ms Dikeledi Setshwantsho of Molepolole North.
Speaking at the brief donation ceremony just outside Toromoja village, His Excellency Dr Mokgweetsi E.K Masisi reiterated the importance of uplifting one another, further urging Ms Chibole to also give back to her community when the time is right. Dr Masisi said the objective of the Bull Donation Initiative was to increase local cattle numbers and improve their genetics which will, in turn, open up the cattle value chain.
“Vision 2036 calls for self sufficiency and uplifting each other… I, therefore, call upon all beneficiaries of this noble initiative to also give back to the less fortunate, no matter how small,” he emphasized.
When receiving the bull, Ms Chibole thanked His Excellency for the kind gesture and also promised to live up to expectations in terms of growing the herd and giving back to society. “I want to claim my rightful place in this male dominated cattle industry,” she committed.
For his part, Minister of Agriculture Honourable Fidelis Molao commended Ms Chibole for what he referred to as a “success story”. He said after receiving only six cattle through the then ALDEP programme in 2007, the family now has a solid herd of 57, including 42 breeding stock and 15 calves.
His Honour, the Vice President and Boteti West Member of Parliament, Mr Slumber Tsogwane, also commended the recipient for her hard work and dedication. Mr Tsogwane also thanked President Masisi for his robust vision of transforming the lives of Batswana through the Reset Agenda, particularly the Mindset Change priority, which calls for everyone to realign their lives in a progressive way.