Alex Forbes calls for beneficiary protection awareness
Pauline Dikuelo | Wednesday September 9, 2026 06:00
As the country’s largest beneficiary fund, the AFBF supports beneficiaries, particularly children and vulnerable dependants, following the death of a fund member. Hence its officials have called for greater national awareness on beneficiary protection, legacy planning and financial security. AFBF Board chairperson, Mokgadi Nteta highlighted that stakeholders like institutions, trustees, financial professionals and the media have an important role to play in helping Batswana build sustainable futures for themselves and generations to come. She said financial resilience, long-term planning and intergenerational security had become increasingly important amid a challenging economic environment.
Nteta added that the Fund’s work extends beyond financial administration and is closely aligned with Setswana values of family responsibility, dignity and generational wellbeing. Drawing on the Setswana concepts of Seriti and Boleng, she explained that the Fund’s educational campaign seeks to encourage Batswana to consider the legacy they leave behind and the impact of their decisions on those who depend on them. “In Setswana culture, legacy has always been deeply important,” Nteta told the recent media engagement session. “Our forebears understood the importance of creating a better future for those who come after them, whether through education, values, opportunities, land, or other forms of inheritance. The decisions we make today will ultimately shape the opportunities available to future generations,” she added. Through its professionally administered structure, the AFBF preserves and grows members’ benefits through earned interest, while providing beneficiaries with ongoing financial support. It also provides specialised administration and oversight to safeguard the interests of vulnerable dependants, preserve their dignity and promote long-term financial wellbeing.
AFBF Principal Officer, Paul Masie, highlighted the critical role beneficiary funds play within Botswana’s broader social protection framework by ensuring that benefits intended for beneficiaries are managed responsibly and distributed in ways that support their long-term welfare. “As a country, we have to think beyond the present when considering social protection and the wellbeing of our citizens,” he told financial journalists. “Funds such as the Alexander Forbes Beneficiary Fund form an important part of the broader social security ecosystem by ensuring that beneficiaries receive ongoing support from benefits that have been set aside for them.” He added that increasing economic pressures made it important to strengthen mechanisms that protect vulnerable families and provide continuity when a breadwinner is no longer able to provide for them. Masie said structured financial support and professional oversight could help reduce vulnerabilities that might otherwise place additional pressure on extended families, communities and public support systems.
The AFBF administrators say they will continue working with employers, trustees, policymakers and industry stakeholders to advance financial literacy and strengthen beneficiary protection across Botswana. Eexpanding access to financial knowledge and practical guidance would help equip Batswana to make informed decisions, protect their loved ones and build lasting legacies, officials added.