President Lt Gen. Seretse Khama Ian Khama, who is the Lady Khama Charitable Trust (LKCT) patron, on Friday graced the trust’s dinner that was held to award winners of the inaugural Lady Khama Cup (charitable Golf Day).
Explaining the LKCT’s mandate and the purpose of fundraising activities at the dinner, LKCT secretary, Mr Marcus Ter Haar said the trust was formed in 2002 to continue the charitable legacy of Lady Ruth Khama.
Its mandate, he said, was to raise funds and awareness of charitable organisations that supported vulnerable women and children. Lady Khama, Mr Ter Haar said, devoted a lot of her time to charity. “Rather than allow all that work and legacy to sort of dissipate, we wanted to continue the good work that she did.
Since we were founded, we tried to make these great contributions to all the charities, I think we’ve done quite well,” said Mr Ter Haar.
Together with his brother, Mr Dale Ter Haar, who is the chairperson of the trust, he said every year they organise four fundraising activities, one per quarter, and dispose the money to a group of four charities which had close associations with Lady Khama when she was alive.
During the first, second, third and fourth quarters of 2015, he said they organised a Run21 half marathon and 10 kilometres, Gantsi Horse Endurance Relay and Lady Khama Diamond Derby, Urban Obstacle Course, Family Fun Day and the President’s Cup as well as the Lady Khama Cup, respectively.
He noted that three weeks ago, they dispersed P425 000 to eight charities which was one of their largest. “That’s the half of it. We’ve had quite an exciting story in the last 12 months. We’ve been doing other activities.
We’ve dispersed P50 000 to an NGO in Mogoditshane, built a Day Care Centre and purchased two buses for two NGOs, one in Molepolole and one in Otse,” he said. Additionally, the LKCT secretary said “we got four units and purchased medical equipment for two hospices in Metsimotlhabe and Old Naledi.”
Since its formation, he said the trust has supported 37 charities and had given away P10 million. “So, for such a young organisation, I think we are doing okay,” he said.
This year, he said they have big projects as they have partnered with PPC and Red Cross to rehabilitate three houses, and were also helping provide sorting for all the vegetable produce that they produced.
Going forward, he said this would form part of their projects. The winners of the inaugural Lady Khama Cup, which took place on Friday, were MultiChoice CEO, Mr Billy Sekgororoane and Ms Paakanyo Moseki with 50 points.
The two walked away with a roving trophy and plasma TV screens each. The second prize went to Mr Othusitse Andries and Mr Simon Hatton, also with 50 points, who got air conditioners each.
Mr Ooma Reddy and Mr S.Y Jo scooped the third prize with 48 points and got sets of vehicle spot lights each.
During an auction, a two people weekend stay at Chobe Marina Lodge, fully inclusive and Air Botswana return tickets (excluding air tax), valued at over P28 000 was bought for P18 000.
The other purchase of four people, two night stay at Chobe Game Lodge, fully inclusive and Air Botswana return tickets (excluding airport tax) valued at P40 000 was also bought for P28 000.