Motsisi acts to keep needy warm this winter

NELSON DIRENG
Correspondent | Wednesday July 14, 2010 00:00

 

This year, the three-year-old campaign received excess proceeds, so the Yarona fm presenter decided to split them between two different regions instead of one, as has been the case. Over the weekend Motsisi donated blankets and clothing to 10 Lobatse Town Council registered destitute and their dependants. Motsisi is yet to decide which region he will be donating to next.

Addressing the beneficiaries, Motsisi said the idea of the campaign is to help the needy keep warm during winter. He said the mooted the idea during one cold winter day in 2008 whilst presenting one of his Hotness weekend shows.  'I wondered how the needy were coping with the cold,' he said.

Motsisi said at first he focused on orphans as they can do little or nothing to fend for themselves. He said that he has never experienced suffering and has been fortunate to come from a family that is self-supporting. 'I then decided that it was best I at least give needy children something that can make them feel loved,' he said. Motsisi said that when he came up with the name Hotness for his winter show, people did not really understand the meaning behind it, which is why he decided to do something that would make people feel warm in winter.

Lobatse mayor Caroline Lesang said that it is good to see youth making a positive contribution in society. She said that Motsisi is selfless for being able to think of other people's needs at such a critical time.

She said he (Motsisi) is also wise as he doesn't only help the needy in the process but also helps his listenership grow.

'Even though he is a youngster he was able to realise that for him to keep his less fortunate listeners glued to the radio in winter he has to keep them warm,' she said.

Lesang said that with such initiatives the youthful radio station (Yarona fm) is showing its responsibility in society.

'Yarona fm consists mostly of youth and it is encouraging to see them making an effort to change people's lives positively,' she said. Lesang said this shows that Botswana is heading in the right direction. 'With such leaders in our society we are assured that our country's economic and social status will be improved,' she said.

She said such initiatives are necessary because they assist the government, which is overwhelmed with responsibilities.

She reminded radio stations, especially private-owned ones, to acknowledge efforts being made by the government. 

 Lesang said Yarona fm shouldn't view the initiative as an expense but rather a long-term profit making initiative. 'In a way, this will enhance your sustainability in the market,' she said.

Education Health Works and Social Services chairperson, Molaodi Mantle said he appreciates Yarona fm's selfless work. He said that by virtue of being a radio station, they have much influence on the community. 'Sometimes they may criticise you, not to destroy you but to make you a better person,' he said.

One of the dependants said she considers the donation a gift from God. 'God has blessed us through the Lobatse Town Council who got blessed by our children at Yarona fm,' she said. The station, which was launched in Lobatse two years ago, is on frequency 102.1 in the region.