Rich reward for Botswana’s first born of the year
Entering the world at exactly 11 minutes past midnight on New Year’s Day, little Masego Wandipa Lulu holds the honour of being Botswana’s first born baby of 2023.
One of nine children born at Nyangabgwe Hospital on January 1st, the infant was rewarded for her early arrival this month, receiving a donation of baby hampers and key essentials.
The gifts came courtesy of Mabu, an initiative started by South African High Commissioner, Thaninga Shope-Soumah last year in collaboration with the Ministry of Health.
Signifying warmth and love, Mabu is a Sepedi word that means ‘mother of the land’.
Soumah set up the scheme, which pays tribute to the first born of the year in all 18 health districts across the country, in the hope of rekindling the culture of celebrating new life in Botswana.
“The Mabu project creates awareness on important health issues such as nutrition and the importance of breastfeeding,” said Soumah, speaking at the handing-over ceremony at Nyangabgwe.
The High Commissioner thanked the likes of Woolworths, Flotek, Clover and Choppies for helping make the event a success.
“It shows we still have people out there with a spirit of giving. I encourage people to make babies as they bring love. The initiative is not for children born in private institutes; we target those born in government facilities only,” she explained.
Masego’s presents included: food, diapers, clothes, blankets and a bed, while her mother, Thato Lulu was also blessed with clothes and was overcome with emotion at the warm gesture.
The gift-giving will continue in the other 17 health districts around Botswana.
