In the support for Corporate Social Responsibility, Botswana Power Corporation’ through its Nata Staff and the CSR Committee handed over a 2 bedroomed house to Ms Gasedirelwe Ntake at Manakanagorwee Ward on the 16th September 2016. The total value of the project is Seventy five Thousand Pula (BWP 75 000), which comprises water and electricity connectivity, fence, external toilet, furniture and grocery. This project which has been implemented in line with the country’s vision 2016 pillar of “a Just, Caring and Compassionate Nation” is amongst the many CSR projects that the Corporation has undertaken in line with supporting members of the community at various areas of the country.
In his reaction during the house handover session, Brigadier General George Tlhalerwa said Botswana Power Corporation had contributed the 643rd house since the Presidential Housing Appeal’s inception in 2010. Brigadier Tlhalerwa hailed BPC for joining the rest of those who showed compassion towards the less privileged members of the society. Brigadier Tlhalerwa said at least 4 000 people have been provided with the much-needed shelter bearing in mind that a normal family in Botswana had an average of six (6) persons. “This is a wonderful development, and my fervent hope and trust is that the programme will continue,” said Brigadier Tlhalerwa.
Deliberating on the background of the project, BPC’s Distribution Senior Technical Officer (DSTO) based at Nata office Mr. Kadimo Motsokono said the idea was conceived in January 2016. “We met, as BPC employees based at Nata and put our heads together in finding out what we could do to give back to the community in which we live and operate from,” said Mr. Motsokono. He further added that the employees had a burning desire to attain the vision 2016 pillar of “a compassionate, just and caring nation”. He said that BPC employees had to build the house with their own hands starting from the initial molding of bricks. According to Mr. Motsokono, BPC came on board to ensure that the house was completed and serviced with electricity and water. Mr. Motsokono made a promise that as a team, the Nata employees will continue providing support to the beneficiary and they will further link her with the relevant partners to ensure that her welfare is not neglected.
Officially handing over the house, BPC Manager Marketing Officer Ms. Dineo Seleke said the project was made possible due to that the power utility subscribes to Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR). As a corporation with a skew towards safety and security, Ms. Seleke said BPC decided to build a house for Mme Ntake in order to provide safety and protection from harsh environmental and climatic conditions. Ms. Seleke mentioned that they were aware that the utilities that had been connected to the house being electricity and water, can be costly on a monthly basis and the Corporation would ensure that stakeholders are mobilised to make a contribution to sustain the availability of these throughout.
