Tackling Gender Based Violence and Empowering People With Disabilities

Diamond Trading Company (DTC) Botswana in partnership with the Malebogo ‘Max’ Foundation held a wheelchair basketball tournament on the 6^th May 2023 at the University of Botswana Basketball Courts. The tournament is part of a DTC Botswana sponsorship to the Malebogo ’Max’ Foundation valued at over P400, 000 which entails procurement of twenty custom-made basketball wheelchairs together with equipment which the foundation used for fund-raising activities as well as prize money for the tournament.

The Malebogo ‘Max’ Foundation, founded by Malebogo Molefhe, is a non-profit organisation which has taken a lead in raising the development potential of rural marginalised women, underprivileged girls, and persons with disabilities, whilst aiming for gender equality and eradication of Gender Based Violence (GBV), through sensitisation, empowerment and mobilising their participation on issues that contribute to their plight.

Through the wheelchair basketball tournament, the foundation was able to marry two agendas which are at the core of the foundation’s activism. These are raising awareness against GBV on women and children and advancing inclusion of people with disabilities by providing a platform for them to participate in sporting programmes and awareness raising events.

One of DTC Botswana’s strategic goals is Elevating Sustainability and Creating Positive Lasting Impact on Communities which ensures the promotion of socio-economic opportunities for the betterment of the lives of Batswana through impactful social performance initiatives whilst forging strong and value-adding partnerships. This aspiration is also aligned to the attainment of both Botswana’s Vision 2036 Pillars and the Millennium Development Goals. The vision and purpose of the Malebogo ‘Max’ Foundation align well with DTC Botswana strategic goals, and therefore this partnership was befitting for each other.

‘As a corporate and society, we need to continue supporting issues around GBV through continued conversations on how to eliminate it within our boardrooms and homes. We need to have conversations with our youth and peers on how to speak up against GBV and the support services that currently exist within our communities. Sports, inclusion, and diversity are the areas that DTC Botswana is passionate about. Today’s tournament is inclusive to all as it shows that whether you are fully abled or have some disability, sport can always be incorporated through some way or another’ said Pinkie Mothopeng-Makepe, the DTC Botswana Senior Manager- Financial Services, when officially opening the tournament.

The tournament was won by Diamond Wheelers of Gaborone, who won P75,000 and a trophy; second place was Jwaneng Basketball team who won P50,000; third place went to the South East Sports Association for the Disabled (SESAD) who walked away with P30,000 whilst fourth place went Kweneng Basketball Team winning themselves P20,000.