MPs to entertain the nation
Lekopanye Mooketsi | Thursday December 5, 2013 17:47
Besides being gifted orators, politicians have other hidden talents that many might not be aware of. Clad in showbiz regalia, various MPs and cabinet ministers will be performing at the grand finale of an upcoming annual charity show.
According to organiser of the show in the Ministry of Education and Skills Development, Tsholofelo Ntshingane the grand finale will be held at Tlotlo Hotel and Conference Centre on December 6. Ntshingane said that to vote for your favourite performance, you will have to send an SMS. He said all the MPs including cabinet ministers are eligible for the show. “Our SMS line is 17120, you SMS MP and his or her name,” he said.
Ntshingane added that the politicians performing at the show will be complemented by local acts. He said that they have already confirmed with some of the artists to make the line up. Unfortunately the man who was likely to be the people’s favourite, President Ian Khama will not be participating in the show. There will also be prizes for the politicians who would give outstanding performances.
“There will be categories for the best performing MPs. Also there will be a lot of prizes,” said the organiser.
A similar charity show was held last year. Some of the politicians who performed were Vice President Ponatshego Kedikilwe, cabinet ministers Pelonomi Venson-Moitoi, Gaotlhaetse Matlhabaphiri, Botlogile Tshireletso and Keletso Rakhudu who happens to be a former artist. Last weekend there was a dress rehearsal show at Molepolole where some of the politicians displayed their talent. Ntshingane said they intend to use the proceeds of the concert to build a drug and alcohol rehabilitation centre that will mostly be target the youth. He indicated that they have not been allocated a plot yet, but this is something that they are looking into. He added that it is not finalised where the centre will be located. This would be the first rehabilitation centre of its kind in the country.
“It is not something cheap. We want to start somewhere before we start appealing for donations,” he said. “We will make sure we consult all the stakeholders by looking at the statistics where the problem is more widespread. We will not be targeting the youth only but even their parents.”
He added that when children are undergoing behavioural change they want parents to identify the problem.
Ntshingane further revealed that the idea of a rehabilitation centre is the brainchild of Education Minister, Venson-Moitoi and the Permanent Secretary in the ministry, Joyce Maphorisa. The idea follows concerns over the rate of substance abuse amongst the youth. He pointed out that the rate at which young people are abusing alcohol and drugs is getting out of control.
He spoke about a recent incident where they visited Motswedi Junior Secondary School. They found drug and alcohol addicted students who could not spend even five minutes without drinking or smoking.
The official further noted that the campaign is not about rehabilitation only but also to capacitate teachers in order to meet the day-to-day challenges that they face at schools. Ntshingane said they also want to reach out to other stakeholders and communities.