Botswana: The spirit of volunteerism and giving back through community service is one of the fundamental moral beliefs Botswana Prison Service prides itself with.
Officiating during the groundbreaking ceremony of a two-bedroomed house for Mpho Motau at Mmankgodi village yesterday, the Minister of Defence and Security and Member of Parliament for Gabane/Mmankgodi, Thomas Kagiso Mmusi, commended the Prison Service for its continued commitment to give back to the less privileged members of the community throughout the country.
He said despite their demanding and complex work of taking care, rehabilitating and reintegrating prisoners, they still manage to set aside time to help fellow Batswana in need. He further highlighted that the house will be constructed through voluntary monetary contributions from the Officers.
Minister Mmusi applauded the Commissioner of Prisons – Commissioner Dinah Marathe, and her conscientious team for their selfless attitude and eagerness to excel in everything they do.
He said the project is a testimony that the Service upholds the Setswana culture of compassion and love for humanity.
“Bagaetsho, se se simolodisiwang ke ba Lephata la Dikgolegelo gompieno, ke go fa ngwana wa rona serirti. Go nna le bonno jwa sennela ruri go botlhokwa, ka ke gone kwa motheo le morero wa lelwapa o agiwang teng,” he said.
The Minister reminded Motau to thank God and receive the kind deed as a blessing. She said the finger could have pointed somewhere else but decided to point at her, hence the need to acknowledge the presence of the Lord and keep on praising Him.
Giving his welcome remarks, Kgosi States Letlole of Mmankgodi said that what Botswana Prison Service is doing in his village demonstrates true love and kind-heartedness.
He said the house is an added positive development that would transform the lives of his people, particularly the Motau family. He commended the Prison Service for choosing Mmankgodi village as a beneficiary and encouraged them to continue with the spirit in their endeavour to help Botswana.
In giving some closing remarks, Deputy Commissioner Keneilwe Mokwenaotsile said as the Service desires to achieve its mandate of safe custodial care, rehabilitation and reintegration of offenders, the importance of community social responsibility could not be underestimated.
She underscored that the generous cause is a voluntary initiative by Officers, not because they have more, but rather driven by the desire to help a fellow Motswana and show love and compassion. She said the spirit of giving back is embedded in the Holy Book of Life and the National Vision 2036 Pillar 2 of Human Social Development.
“This is also in alignment with the President, Dr Mokgweetsi Eric Keabetswe Masisi’s Reset Agenda, priority number 5 of Mindset Change,” she stated.
Prison Officers will construct the house, consisting of two bedrooms, a lounge, a kitchen and a bathroom. It will be completed in four months at a cost of over P200,000.