FATHER CHRISTMAS
Taolo Lucas praises Khama, calls him Father Christmas
Member of Parliament (MP) for Bobirwa, Taolo Lucas has criticised politicians who strategically and cunningly engage in charitable work just before the elections.
He was speaking during the handover of a new house to Gerald Estates resident, Lebogang Zebra whose house was gutted by fire last year. The occasion also marked the launch of Estates All Starts Football Club (GEASFC).
Thabo Nyambe, a Botswana Congress Party (BCP) activist, had rallied the Gerald Estates community and businesses to raise funds to build Zebras a new house. He also established the Gerald Estates-based football club.
“Some politicians do charity work just before the elections because they want political mileage. I appeal to Nyambe to not end it here but continue doing good for his community and not wait for the eve of the elections,” he said.
“Be genuine and if the people get swayed by those who come just before the elections and leave you, so be it,” said Lucas, also urging Nyambe to be consistent in his service to the community.
“Charity should not be a once off thing either. Dr (Ian) Khama did a lot of giving to the needy even when he was President. He has so far been consistent as he continues to do that even after his Presidency. We called him Father Christmas at the time,” said Lucas.
Lucas then lashed at the ruling government for withholding airtime to Dr Khama.
“Only a select few have their good deeds broadcast. You know whose good deeds are published,” he added in an apparent reference to President Dr Mokgweetsi Masisi and the other government officials who enjoy consistent coverage by state media. Guest speaker at the launch and handover ceremony, former President Dr Khama congratulated the team, Nyambe and the Gerald Estates community for providing Zebra with a house. “You must give to the poor regardless of the amounts because the amount of money you give does not matter,” said Dr Khama. He congratulated Nyambe for establishing the football team and donated a kit, bibs, boots and cones to the team. He called on the community to rally behind the team. He also donated food hampers to Zebra.
Giving background information about the event, Nyambe explained the desperate situation Zebra found herself in when her house was gutted by fire at the end of last year.
“She obviously expected help from the community leadership here to do something but nothing happened. I had to mobilise the football team and community on how to raise the funds for the rehabilitation of the house,” said Nyambe.
Zebra was clearly overwhelmed by excitement, and appealed for similar interventions to be extended to other people in need of help.