13 Jul 2016

Botswana Innovation Hub CEO Mr Alan Boshwaen, handed over one of the company's Sustainable Housing Units to Tlhokaina Gabolatlhwe of Khekhenye village in the Kweneng District. 

Gabolatlhwe's original dwellings were recently burnt to the ground by an accidental fire. 

A press release from Botswana Innovation Hub (BIH) says the donation of the house was part of the BIH's Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) and a fitting gesture as the country celebrates its 50^th anniversary of independence and the culmination of the national Vision 2016. 

The release says Vision 2016 reflects the national aspirations of Batswana about their long-term future such as Prosperous, Productive and Innovative Nation that is Compassionate, Just and Caring and which is also safe and secure. 

It also states that The Sustainable Housing project is an initiative of the Botswana Innovation Hub's Clean-Tech programme that seeks alternative housing solutions that have the potential to address the housing challenges that exist in the country using locally available low cost material. 

According to the press release, CEO Boshwaen said with a mandate that focuses on technology adoption and diffusion to local communities the company partnered with the IKEA Foundation through a Swedish based NGO called Better Shelter around opportunities for impact. 

It says the project explores the feasibility of the Sustainable Housing Unit concept by deploying pilot units locally and testing their viability through a dedicated Research and Development partnership with local Research and Public institutions. 

The release says the units offer an alternative housing solution that has the potential to significantly improve the lives of people through its rapid deployment, solar renewable lighting, potential for rain water harvesting and use of local materials as value additions. 

It reveals that the unit demonstrates the use of technology for residential shelter development while taking into account local resources and has potential for a full scale production in the near future,” he said. 

The release says Mr Boshwaen indicates that the units have excellent market viability with potential for the local market including, provision of durable shelter to remote and disadvantaged communities as well as individuals wishing to set up more durable shelters at their ploughing fields and construction sites. 

The release sates that on a larger scale, the Sustainable Housing Unit lends itself to use by international organizations for displaced communities in the event of natural disasters such as floods and droughts or even in times of civil strife and war, because of the unit's rapid deployment features. 

The press release further says Kgosi Sekelere Kgope of Khekhenye thanked Botswana Innovation Hub for a donation that addresses one of the basic human needs which is shelter. 

Adding that the donation will go a long way in restoring the dignity of the recipient and improving the life of one of the senior citizens resident in his village. ENDS