ELM hands BLH, BLSoN to Bamalete
It was jubilation amongst Bamalete as the Evangelical Lutheran Mission (ELM) Germany handed over Bamalete Lutheran Hospital (BLH) and Bamalete Lutheran School of Nursing (BLSoN) to a local tripartite body.
The establishments are now owned by Evangelical Lutheran Church in Botswana (ELCB), Evangelical Lutheran Church in Southern Africa Diocese (ELCSA) and the Balete tribe represented by Kgosi Mosadi Seboko. Kgosi Seboko, accepted the facilities on behalf of the tripartite in Boatle’s Tashy’s Royal Gardens last Friday.
“In 1865, ELM arrived in Ramotswa and built a hospital for us. They later expanded and built a maternity ward, which is still famous to date. The hospital has done a lot over time helping Batswana in general. I call on all members of the tripartite to join hands and Bamalete to the best of our abilities. I welcome this development on behalf of everyone in peace.
We should pray hard and join hands despite any differences we ever had. Our differences shouldn’t lead to the hospital suffering,” she said. Kgosi Seboko hailed the Botswana government for helping resource the hospital in so many ways. She said despite shortages, the government did well to utilise taxpayers’ money by looking after their health.
She went on to thank Bamalete forebears who worked hard with the mission for the establishment of the hospital and the school.
Speaking to this publication after the handing over, Kgosi Seboko said: “The hospital was built by Bamalete and they are now being handed the facilities alongside the local church.
The day was always going to come where they hand over to locals as per their policy. The hospital has been enjoying support from government and that will continue as we serve Batswana”. For his part, the Assistant Minister of Health and Wellness, Sethomo Lelatisitswe said they remain committed to the health and wellness of the
people of Ramotswa and the surrounding villages. “We commit to continue supporting BLH and BLSoN, even under the new dispensation. We will always be there to support this tripartite partnership for the success of this community - grown project.
We thank the ELM for their generosity and will build on the solid foundation that they laid. I also thank Balete people and their Bogosi as well as the churches for this great partnership,” he said.
Lelatisitswe urged the tripartite to continue with the provision of quality healthcare services rooted in the Christian foundation and continue to yield an impact in the healthcare provision of the country.