10 Aug 2015

Kgalagadi Breweries Limited (KBL) has commended Somarelang Tikologo (ST) Environmental Watch Botswana for its dedication towards environmental conservation.

The organisation also received accolades for its inclusion and collective approach to ensuring that responsibility towards environmental care belonged to all.

Speaking at a recent handing over of a P129 000 to ST by KBL on behalf of Kgalagadi Beverage Trust (KBT), Mr Mokoro Ketsitlile, who is corporate communications manager, said the two had a mutual friendship aimed at environmental protection and sustainable development. The money would be used to refurbish Somarelang Tikologo recycling drop-off centre.

Mr Ketsitlile said KBL and KBT were guided by their long-term sustainable development priorities, which were a critical aspect that informed the way they conducted their business. 

In addition, he said, being part of SABMiller, sustainable development at KBL continued to be driven by their Sustainable Development Strategy, Prosper that also committed to a Share Aspiration to ‘A Clean World’. 

He explained that prosper was their latest approach to sustainable development and key element of SABMiller’s business strategy. 

At its heart, he said, was supporting small businesses and organisations to play a part in generating economic growth and reducing poverty.

“KBL and KBT strive to leverage on partnerships with stakeholders such as Somarelang Tikologo to drive inclusive growth, the sustainable use of resources, and responsibility at various levels of exchange with the public, in terms of raising awareness on environmental conservation whilst taking tangible and practical measures to support the activities and campaigns of local NGOs and conservation bodies, wherever possible,” he said.

Somarelang Tikologo chairman, Dr Eagilwe Segosebe, applauded KBL for its continued support, noting that their partnership was based on true and common vision for environmental care. 

Dr Segosebe said the donation would assist ST to refurbish its recycling drop-off centre to enable residents of Gaborone to recycle waste.

In addition, he said it would help them to launch their campaign to raise public awareness, train Batswana in the use of waste materials to manufacture crafts for sale and to form a recycling forum.

Somarelang Tikologo is a membership based NGO founded in 1992 with the purpose of monitoring, protecting and increasing awareness of Botswana’s environment and encouraging the wise use and conservation of her natural resources.

Gaborone City Council granted ST a plot, which was transformed into a demonstration ecological park containing an organic vegetable garden, water harvesting plant, solar powered equipment, drought resistant gardens, a children’s playground, offices, and a recycling centre, a café’ and a green crafts shop. ENDS