Government is doing everything possible to assist flood victims, President Lt Gen. Seretse Khama Ian Khama has said.
He said the Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development officials would assess all affected villages and families to see how they could be assisted.
President Khama, who visited Chadibe and Borotsi in Tswapong on Saturday, donated food hampers and blankets to victims of recent floods in the two villages.
The food hampers and blankets, worth over P30 000, were donated by the Lady Khama Charitable Trust.
Residents of the two villages suffered massive loses when a thunderstorm destroyed their houses and property.
President Khama said residents would be assisted with shelter and food. However, he stressed that it was not compensation, saying government was fulfilling the pillar of a compassionate, just and caring nation as espoused by Vision 2016.
Tswapong South MP, Mr Oreeditse Molebatsi applauded the government for being exemplary by giving back to needy Batswana.
One of the beneficiaries in Chadibe, Mr Ntsadi Phuthego applauded President Khama and the Lady Khama Charitable Trust for the generous gesture.
However, Mr Phuthego noted that since the road passing through their village was tarred, they had experienced disasters every rainy season. He added that the road had brought them misery.
Meanwhile, President Khama also donated blankets and food to victims of the hailstorm that wrecked havoc in Mookane on February 1.
About 40 people, whose houses and food were destroyed by the hailstorm, were given food hampers while 55 elderly people were given blankets, shirts and coats.
President Khama said the donation from the Lady Khama Charitable Trust was to augment what the Department of Social and Community Development (S&CD) had done.
He told Mookane residents that maintenance of government buildings destroyed by the hailstorm had started.
The hailstorm left a trail of destruction in the village. The hailstorm led to the closure of both Mookane Primary School and Mookane Junior Secondary School.
Meanwhile, Central District education regional director, Ms Molebi Morolong said property worth over millions was destroyed.
Such included window panes for both primary and secondary schools as well as teachers quarters, street lights and sewerage line.
She said they had engaged the brigades to work on the waste water line and window panes as well as other repairs.
Ms Morolong highlighted that contingency measures would be put in place to ensure that the students make up for the lost time.
One of the beneficiaries, Ms Sebonetse Silas, 85, thanked President Khama for the donation, saying the food would come handy since they had lost everything.
Mahalapye East MP, Ms Botlogile Tshireletso also appreciated President Khama's support to the affected families.
She expressed happiness that Mahalapye Sub-district Council and district administration officials had been working round the clock to ensure that affected families had food and a roof over their heads. ENDS
Source : BOPA
Author : Leungo Rakgati
Location : Lerala
Event : Presidential visit
Date : Feb 10 Sun,2013