Five months on from a wet Saturday that left runners soaked to their socks, it rained a different type of ‘pula’ in Ghetto on Thursday as Botswana Telecommunications Corporation Limited (BTCL) handed over the proceeds from the 5th BTC Marathon.
In total, the event, held on 8 April, raised P600,000, funds that were divided between six beneficiaries: Francistown, North and South East, Tutume, and the Tonota and Bobirwa District Councils.
Francistown City Council’s Department of Environmental Health and Sanitation received P80,000 for the installation of 150 BTC-branded smart waste bins along Blue Jacket Street, Aerodrome, and Donga.
Tonota District Council’s Department of Sports and Recreation was given P155,000 for the Community Outdoor Fitness Park, including outdoor fitness facilities and internet connectivity.
Tutume District Council’s Department of Youth and Gender took P90,000 to enhance Sebina Village Library with ICT equipment, including a printer/copier, projector and screen, desktop computers and internet connectivity.
North-East District Council, through the DHMT/Department of Social and Community Development, got P95,000 for the Mambo Village Wellness Hub, including office equipment, computers, internet connectivity, furniture, and a bookshelf.
Bobirwa District Council’s Department of Early Childhood Education received P90,000 for the Lepokole Village Community Play Centre, supporting children’s furniture, learning material, an outdoor play area, and internet connectivity.
Francistown Athletics Club, BTC’s technical partner for the marathon, received P90,000 to support daily office operations and athletics development.
The donations support projects in education, health, sports, digital inclusion, and community development, reinforcing BTC’s commitment to creating lasting social impact.
Speaking at the handover ceremony at Marang Gardens, BTC Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Jürgen Peschel, reaffirmed the corporation’s commitment to creating lasting social impact through initiatives that connect communities and transform lives.
He said they believe true success is measured not only by business performance but also by the positive impact they create in the communities they serve.
Peschel revealed that over the past four years, BTC Francistown Marathon has contributed P1.7 million towards community projects and support for their technical partner.
Beyond the Marathon, the CEO noted BTC has recently completed several infrastructure projects undertaken in northern Botswana.
“We recently completed the nationwide network upgrade project that included 25 villages in the northern region, including ShasheMooke, Mosojane, Kalakamati, Jackalas No. 1, Jackalas No. 2, amongst others,” he said.
