Don't make a baby if you can't support it - Masisi

Vice President Mokgweetsi Masisi has sent a strong message to would-be young parents to be ready for the responsibility that comes with child birth if they intend to take the plunge.

He was addressing a kgotla meeting last Friday in Matsiloje village in the North East District. Masisi’s advised the youth not to have children when they know that they will not be able to support them. Instead, he said that one should consider having a child when one is able to support it.

“If you cannot manage to support yourself, there is no point for you to have children as government cannot be able to take care of you and your children at the same time,” said the VP.

The Midweek Sun was not able to ascertain what could have prompted the VP’s outbursts. But it appeared he was concerned that government’s youth poverty eradication programmes end up being enjoyed by unintended beneficiaries.

We could neither confirm the number of youths on social welfare or poverty eradication programmes and the financial burden placed on the state for their maintenance to make a correlation with the VP’s observation. But, Masisi continued with his admonition: “If you cannot manage yourself, how do you expect the government to manage you or take care of you?” he asked.

The VP’s comments are in stark contrast with President Dr. Ian Khama’s who is on record having called on Batswana to have more children in order to increase their population.