Betway donates P2.5million for GBV shelter construction
Lesedi Mkhutshwa | Monday October 13, 2025 06:00
The multi-million pula donation was made through the Betway Foundation's 'Betway Cares” to the Botswana Gender-Based Violence Centre (BGBVC) to build a GBV shelter which will provide a safe haven for GBV survivors in Francistown and the North East District.
The donation comes at a time when Betway Botswana is facing backlash from customers who have taken to social media to express their frustrations with the company's services, citing difficulties with betting, cash backs and withdrawals.
Despite the negative publicity, the charitable deed is expected to have a lasting impact on the lives of GBV survivors in the region.
GBV remains a severe human rights issue in Botswana, with high prevalence rates particularly affecting women and girls.
According to studies, around 67% of women in Botswana have experienced physical or sexual abuse in their lifetime. The shelter aims to provide a safe and supportive environment for survivors to heal and rebuild their lives.
In her remarks, BGBVC Chief Executive Officer, Lorato Moalusi, stated that the donation is a clear message that survivors of violence are not alone and that as a nation, Botswana refuses to accept violence as part of their society.
She stated that domestic violence will never end until it has been made socially unacceptable.
She highlighted the organisation's tireless efforts to provide counseling, psycho-social support, medical and legal referrals, and empowerment programs to survivors.
Moalusi stated that they have also faced the painful reality of limited safe spaces where survivors can heal and rebuild their lives.
'With this sponsorship, that gap will begin to close. I also wish to share that we are currently engaging with local authorities in the district to identify and secure a suitable site for the construction of this shelter,' she added. Moalusi indicated that once the land has been secured, they are committed to commencing construction without delay, so that survivors can benefit from this facility as soon as possible.
She stated that the shelter will not just be a building; it will be a place of hope, of healing, and of second chances.
According to Deputy Mayor Uyapo Nyeku, GBV remains one of the greatest threats to the dignity, safety, and well-being of their people.
It destroys lives, tears families apart, and undermines the very fabric of communities, and as leaders, partners, and citizens, they cannot and must not stand by in silence, he added.
He stated that the shelter they are gathered to support will represent more than bricks and mortar.
'It will be a sanctuary place of safety, healing, and restoration for survivors who desperately need a chance to rebuild their lives. It will also stand as a visible reminder of our collective commitment across the Greater Francistown region to protect the vulnerable and to end the cycle of violence,' said Nyeku.
Speaking about BGBVC, board chairperson Dr. Khumoetsile Mapitse stated that the organisation has stood at the front line of the response to GBV.
He indicated that day after day, they open their doors to survivors (women, men, and children) who arrive seeking safety, dignity, and a chance to rebuild their lives.
'This work is not without its challenges. Sustainability remains one of our greatest hurdles. We operate in an environment where demand for our services far outweighs the resources at our disposal. Survivors continue to come forward, yet funding, staffing, and infrastructure often lag behind the urgent need,' he said.
For her part, Betway country manager Michelle France-Mabiletsa said that the P2.5million donation is not simply a cheque handover but rather a landmark moment in their shared commitment to creating a Botswana where every person, especially women and children, can live in dignity, free from fear and violence.
She further said that the statistics on Gender-Based Violence in their nation are not just numbers but represent shattered lives, trauma, and dreams unjustly deferred.
'We know the urgent and desperate need for safe spaces. The courageous survivors who break the cycle of abuse often find themselves with nowhere to go, no safe port in the storm, and this shortage of safe accommodation is a critical gap that the BGBVPSC bravely attempts to fill every single day,' she continued.
She stated that the funding is specifically earmarked for the construction of a new, purpose-built shelter -a sanctuary. France-Mabiletsa described the facility as more than just temporary accommodation but a holistic safe haven.
She further indicated that the place will offer immediate, secure refuge for those in the most desperate circumstances.
'It will be a place of healing and provide the necessary time and space for emotional and psychological recovery. It will be a launch pad where survivors can access skills training, legal aid, and counseling to help them transition toward independent living and economic freedom,' she added.