Africa-Press – Botswana. The Assistant Minister of Local Government and Traditional Affairs, Mr Ignatius Moswaane says clean environments are the responsibility of all.
Marking the commencement of a clean-up campaign by the Balekane Ba Botswana Association at the Francistown bus rank on Saturday, Mr Moswaane noted that the state of cleanliness in the city left a lot to be desired.
The assistant minister was particularly unhappy with some of the materials used to erect stall structures, saying most of them were worn-out, recycled material which were an eyesore to the general public.
Though benchmarking exercises were conducted in Windhoek, Namibia by the Francistown City Council in the past to improve the litter management situation, little fruit has been borne out of the initiative.
He, therefore, called on both the city council and councillors to work hand-in-hand with small businesses to iron out the matter, which he said made the city look shabby and unattractive.
“Let this campaign today mark the beginning of a journey towards a clean city and homesteads,” he said, giving Balekane Ba Botswana a pat on the back for the noble gesture.
Francistown chief public health officer, Ms Osenaope Ketshabile echoed Assistant Minister Moswaane’s words, saying that achieving clean city status should not be the sole responsibility of the city council.
She therefore, relayed that the city council was happy to onboard everyone, including associations such as Balekane Ba Botswana, to achieve the objective of a clean city.
Also, Ms Ketshabile called on Batswana to teach their children the importance of a clean environment at home.
Carbon Environmental Botswana’s Ms Jaqueline Mfosi noted that substantial profit could be derived from recycling some of the waste.
She therefore, encouraged the general public to set up cooperatives, which she stated would act as platforms to sell recycled materials.
National Executive Committee Chairperson for Balekane Ba Botswana, Mr Falcon Sedimo was of the view that environmental laws needed to be reviewed to address the issue of waste management adequately.
Like other speakers before him, Mr Sedimo felt robust emphasis should be placed on public education on waste.
Earlier during the welcoming ceremony, deputy mayor Councillor Uyapo Nyeku relayed that clean cities were a magnet for tourists, kept diseases at bay, and lured investors, and thus commended Balekane Ba Botswana for their noble gesture.
Mr Nyeku’s sentiments were echoed by Balekane Ba Botswana Francistown regional chairperson, Mr Mmoloki Thomola who said the geographical position of Francistown as a gateway to the north and south of Africa, necessitated that the city should be clean at all times.
He said that as an association of individuals born in 1966, they have formulated a programme of activities country-wide as a way of giving back to society.
For More News And Analysis About Botswana Follow Africa-Press
