Vice President Mr Slumber Tsogwane has commended Choppies for its sustained philanthropic spirit shown by the retailer repeatedly heeding government’s call for the private sector to assist in various forms.
Mr Tsogwane made the comments on Thursday during a donation handover of food and toiletry hampers to members of the disciplined forces deployed in various operations during the festive season.
“The festive season is renowned for sharing and caring, hence the noble charitable gesture by Choppies is highly appreciated and I, on behalf of government fully commend Choppies for their generosity,” the Vice President said.
He said the hampers would go a long way in assisting both members of the Botswana Defence Force and Botswana Police Service when executing their mandate.
“Members of the disciplined forces continue to protect civilians life and properties despite the day-to-day challenges, as such the Choppies donations could not have come at a more appropriate time,” he said.
The vice president said the disciplined forces had vowed to be at the forefront of protecting and safeguarding the county’s territorial integrity, thus any donation received towards their welfare was commendable.
He further observed that Choppies had for years been making donations in different forms across many communities in the country, a gesture through which the retailer continued to improve the welfare of many citizens.
Mr Tsogwane emphasised the need for private sector to come on board and meet government halfway in bearing the responsibility for the advancement of the country’s the social economic development ideals.
To that end, he said government fully recognised the private sector as partners in development, adding that Choppies was undoubtedly a critical player in illustrating the role of the private sector in human development.
Government, he said would continue to support the private sector through policies and laws, which facilitated the ease of doing business in Botswana.
For his part Choppies’ Chief Executive Officer Mr Ramachandran Ottapathu noted that the donation was part of their corporate social responsibility programme and was therefore the retailer’s way of giving back to the community in recognition of the support it had rendered to them over the years.ENDS
