13 Sep 2015

Jwaneng Town Council’s Education, Health and Social Services committee chairperson, Ms Olga Ditsie, has underscored the need for intensive environmental education. Speaking at a ‘Keep The World Clean’ campaign in Jwaneng recently, Ms Ditsie said unlike other countries, Botswana appeared to lag behind on environmental education. 

She said people should be sensitised on consequences such as air pollution resulting from unnecessary human activity.

“Our communities should be taught that every individual’s habit can contribute to these adverse effects which affect climate conditions,” she said.

Ms Ditsie, who is also a nominated councillor, advised Jwaneng residents to recycle litter and use it on profit making businesses to improve their lives. That, she noted, would help reduce Botswana’s rate of unemployment. She said those  who were already engaged in recycling projects were able to feed their families. 

Also, she noted, such people were creating employment for others hence boosting the economy of their localities.

“We should do all that is possible to protect our planet because it is irreplaceable. Let’s do it for ourselves and for the coming generations,” said Ms Ditsie.

Furthermore, Ms Ditsie called on residents to keep the town clean given the expectation on a highly valued mining town of Jwaneng’s status.  She said cleaning should start with individuals if the township was to regain its position as a tourist attraction.

Jwaneng Town Council chief public health officer, Mr Desmond Tshotelo, advised residents to have rubbish bins in their yards for effective waste disposal. He said despite Jwaneng Town Council forging partnerships to avail rubbish bins around town, the law required each homestead should have its own. 

Mr Tshotelo expressed concern at the number of stray dogs in Jwaneng, saying statistics showed that there were more than 500 dogs within the township. 

He said such dogs went around scattering litter hence living the area in filthy state. He further said some land owners had deserted their plots hence an eyesore of overgrowth trees and grass. Mr Tshotelo urged residents to desist from burning litter, saying that did not only pollute the environment but illegal. 

He advised them to put garden waste in front of their yards so that it could be collected in council vehicles.

He said to improve overall cleanliness of the township, they had engaged law enforcement personnel through the Ipelegeng programme to work with the Green Scorpion to ensure that people followed procedure. Meanwhile, the cleanest wards and schools under different categories were awarded cash prizes, and are expected to represent Jwaneng at the national competitions in Selebi-Phikwe on September 17. Ends