28 Jan 2015

The University of Botswana (UB) and that of Cape Town (UCT) are conducting a research project aimed at sensitising African and Asian communities and their governments about the impact of climate change.


Speaking during a kgotla meeting in Bobonong recently, Professor Hillary Masundire of UB said the research would identify factors that prevented long term adaptation to climate change.


He said through engagement of the community and sharing knowledge, Adaptation at Scale in Semi-Arid regions (ASSAR) would ensure that the research would be used to influence policy formulation and practice both today and in the future.


The on-going project that started last year in drought prone areas such as Bobirwa and Kgalagadi was expected to last for four years and the research team was in the area to solicit ideas from the community and the leadership on how the climate change had affected their livelihoods.


However, Professor Masundire said the concept of climate change was being debated worldwide highlighting that even the seasons of rainfall had changed consequently affecting crops, animals and people. 


For his part Professor Maitseo Bolane also from UB noted that in Botswana, Bobirwa had been cited as the area of interest for the research project adding that comparing it to other Botswana regions, the area was well known for its lack of rainfall, drought, malaria and foot and mouth disease.


For his part Kgosi Mmirwa Malema cited mass movement of people into Christianity as one of the causes of climate change and lack of rainfall.


Kgosi Malema said people had abandoned their traditional lifestyle and the gods might not be happy with what was happening.
He said what used to be the norm of going to hills to ask the gods for rain was no longer practiced.


Furthermore Kgosi Malema said people should have a stand and remain pure in their religions and beliefs.
For his part kgosi Bethuel Machete of Mothabeng in Bobirwa region said even though climate change had led to lack of rain and bad harvest, Bobirwa area has a lot of underground water which could be harnessed for irrigation.


Kgosi Machete stressed that the area also had big rivers such as Motoutse and Limpopo and strategies should be made to get water to farms. ends