The Voice (Francistown)
18 March 2008
Francistown — Beneficiaries of the Orapa and Letlhakane Mines' Corporate and Social Investment programme have hailed the initiative as a source of empowerment and sustainable community development.
Through the programme in 2007, the Mines committed P1.3 million to community projects in the field of education and community development, sports and environment, among others. A number of Boteti Sub District residents recently embarked on a training course on commercially rearing traditional chicken at Malotwana. The course included, among others, care and management of eggs, incubation, vaccinations and waste management for self-sufficiency. One of the participants, Keletso Ketshabetswe, said the course was an eye opener for him as a young farmer.
"I have gained invaluable knowledge and have already implemented some of the initiatives that I learnt from the course," he stated. Ketshabetswe said he would like to take traditional chicken farming to greater heights and establish his own farm. For Regina Raphael, a Letlhakane resident, the course was God-sent as she has started reaping the benefits of rearing traditional chickens. "Since I came back from training I have managed to set up a chicken shelter and I am in the process of selling some of the chickens to the community," she said.
Raphael added that she had since contacted the agricultural department regarding funding for her project, to also develop the plot she had already been allocated. "I hope that my success will motivate others to take up chicken rearing on a commercial basis," she said pragmatically. Another Letlhakane resident, Kagiso Tshipietsile, took the training and found it useful for she was taught the usage of an incubator and most importantly the vaccinations. "My aim is to grow my business and be a contact point whenever people require traditional chickens," she said. Kagiso advised fellow youth to consider setting up own businesses instead of waiting for elusive employment.
For his part, the Mines' General Manager, Seb Sebetlela, reiterated his company's commitment to creating a long lasting legacy of community development, epitomised by self-reliance. He said this is in line with the overall Debswana business strategy and augments the national Vision 2016.
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