25 Jan 2015

The Minister of Infrastructure, Science and Technology, Mr Nonofo Molefhi has expressed satisfaction with the sustainable housing unit which is being piloted at Khudumelapye in the Letlhakeng Sub District.

Speaking during a tour of the project on Thursday, January 21, Mr Molefhi made an assurance that as the ministry they will take into consideration all the negative aspects they have noted with the structure

He also said that he is hopeful that after the unit has been improved, it will assist government in its efforts of rolling out sustainable housing to the ordinary people, as well as help local companies that might be interested in manufacturing the material used.

He said one of the weaknesses they have observed about the structure was that it tends to get too hot during the day and too cold during the night, and that the windows will have to be enlarged to suit the local conditions.

Mr Molefhi said his ministry has the duty of overseeing government projects, and in that they have to work hand in hand with organizations such as the Botswana Innovation Hub (BIH) and use research and technology to benefit the ordinary Batswana.

“We have been working with organizations such as Rural Industries Innovation Centre to try and use research and technology to benefit the ordinary Batswana, and this housing unit is an example of such research with a purpose,” he said.

He said their intention is also to borrow from indigenous knowledge. The beneficiary of the unit is Ms Mosadiwasetswana Kaboaga. Her daughter, Ms Motlalepula Kaboaga informed the minister and his entourage that the house tends to absorb the outside temperatures. She also noted that during the rain it gets too noisy.

She however, said it showed high resistance against strong winds during the recent rains in the village. The sustainable housing unit is constructed from poly-olefin foam which has a life span of 3 years.

According to the BIH Public Relations and Communications Manager, Mr Tigele Mokobi, the unit offers an alternative housing solution that has the potential to address the housing challenges that exist in the country.

He said the project was set up by BIH in partnership with the Ikea Foundation through a Swedish based NGO; Relief Housing Unit (RHU).

He said other institutions involved in monitoring partnership of the project are the Botswana Institute for Technology Research and Innovation (BITRI) which is tasked with monitoring the building material, the University of Botswana Architecture which monitors the design aspects while the Department of Electrical and Building Services monitors structural aspects; and the Ministry of Lands and Housing monitors social and economic aspects of the house. ENDS