28 Aug 2014

The North East District will this year host the annual commemoration of the World Habitat Day.

The permanent secretary in the Ministry of Lands and Housing, Mr Thato Raphaka said the commemoration would be held in Matsiloje on October 6. Mr Raphaka, said when briefing the ongoing North East District full council meeting in Masunga on  August 26, that the event will provide a platform through which to instill in people the fact that everyone had the power and responsibility to play a role in improving the state of human settlements, he said.

He pointed out that the purpose of the World Habitat Day was to reflect on among others; the basic right of all to adequate shelter. “It is also intended to remind the world of its collective responsibility for the future of the human habitat,” he said. He said it was crucial to understand that human habitat entails the improvement of the whole human living environment.

Mr Raphaka told councillors that each year the World Habitat Day took on a new theme chosen by the United Nations to highlight issues of the sustainability of human settlements. He observed that the themes are chosen with the view to draw attention to the need for sustainable development policies that ensure adequate shelter for all in a safe and clean environment.

In the past, he said, themes focused on issues of mobility, climate change, planning, safety and urbanisation, adding that this year’s commemoration would be held under the theme ‘Voices from Slums’.

Mr Raphaka said the theme was chosen to raise awareness on the need to improve the living conditions in slums as well as to demonstrate that slum upgrading programmes can achieve better living conditions for slum dwellers.
Furthermore, he said though Botswana does not have the magnitude of slums as compared to other countries, challenges exist regarding housing provision as some people lack access to adequate housing with basic services; hence their livelihoods remain uncertain and insecure.

He thus urged the councilors and other district leaders to use the commemoration to reflect on how the livelihood of less-privileged citizens can be improved.

Commenting, councilors expressed gratitude that the commemoration would be held in the North East District.

Cllr Joyce Mahube of Ramokgwebana assured the permanent secretary that the district would go all out to make the event memorable.

She said the district had already proven its mettle in the past in terms of doing remarkably well after having been entrusted with hosting major events.

Cllr for Tati Siding, Ms Ruth Dlodlo said the event would empower locals in many ways, giving an example of entertainers who will benefit in monetary terms from providing entertainment on the day of the event. She then appealed to fellow councillors to strive to give their all in ensuring that the day becomes a resounding success.

Cllr for Nlapkhwane ward, Mr Farai Bonyongo described as a great honour the choice of the North East district as host. He similarly appealed to all stakeholders to move speedily in preparing for the day as there is not much time left.

For his part, Cllr Moses Maloiso of Tshesebe said though the importance of the World Habitat Day cannot be over-emphasised, it was crucial that local communities in particular are sensitised on its significance. He said it would be improper for the North East District community to commemorate the day without the full understanding of what it really was established to achieve. ENDS