24 Mar 2014

The role of the youth in the provision and delivery of meteorological services has been described as crucial for the future of the country.

These sentiments were echoed by the deputy chairman of Tati Land board, Mr Clement Siviya during the commemoration of the World Meteorological Day in Masingwaneng over the weekend (March 22).

Mr Siviya said it was essential for the youth to play a role in issues of meteorology; observing that as future leaders of Botswana, this was one area they could not afford to neglect. He underscored the need for issues of weather and climate to be put at the fore as they, among others, dictated the activities people could engage in.

Mr Siviya cited as an example such human activities as farming as being highly dependent on the dictates of the weather, noting that it would be unwise for any farmer to not take at heart such a fact when engaging in such.

For her part, acting director of the Department of Meteorological Services, Ms Penny Lesolle thanked Batswana for their role in the work of her department.

She noted that had it not for instance where some Batswana assisted the department in supplying information on the amount of rainfall received in various parts of the country, the work of the department would be seriously compromised as it would be difficult for them to monitor the situation throughout the country with their limited resources.

Giving an overview of the commemoration, Ms Lesolle informed the gathering that Botswana as a member of the World Meteorological Organisation was enjoined to commemorate the day.

She stated further that Botswana had made great strides in the provision of meteorological services; explaining that as way back as in 1921, the country had started recording information on rainfall amounts in Mochudi.

Later, she said weather monitoring services were later extended to Francistown in 1961. Ms Lesolle said their services had grown so much that for the past couple of years, the Department of Meteorological Services had been providing accurate weather forecasts.

The event, which saw many departments under the Ministry of Environment, Wildlife and Tourism taking their services to the people, was held under the theme, Weather and Climate: Engaging the Youth. Ends