07 Sep 2017

The deputy permanent secretary (Technical Services) in the Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development says despite numerous interventions instituted by government to curb environmental pollution, people continue to indiscriminately dispose waste.

Mr Nchidzi Mmolawa said during Southern District council clean up commemoration day in Moshupa on Monday that improper waste management and disposal had thus rendered water sources such as rivers, streams and homesteads an eyesore and a serious threat to the environment.

He said open burning of waste by the community, indiscriminate disposal of waste in open pits and used oil were among unacceptable practices with the potential to contaminate water sources.

“I would like to urge and encourage those engaged in these practices to desist in the spirit of environmental etiquette,” he said.

He said proper waste management should be a practice by all communities nationwide.

Botswana as a global player according to Mr Mmolawa, needed to direct efforts at dealing with local issues which would in turn contribute to international solutions to challenges of indiscriminate waste disposal.

That withstanding, Mr Mmolawa said Southern District had made huge strides in the privatisation of waste collection through community based refuse collection initiative, which had increased in coverage from 61 villages last financial year to 67 this year.

Additionally, Mr Mmolawa stated that council had engaged 105 private contractors in waste management as compared to 81 last financial year.

Kgosi Oscar Mosielele of Moshupa was lost for words to contemplate how a nation could be tolerant to bad environmental practices.
Especially bothersome to Kgosi Mosielele was high incidents of baby dippers strewn just about everywhere.

He said the theme Our Place Our Planet Our Responsibility, called on everybody to make concerted efforts towards responsible waste management and disposal.

Southern district Council chairperson, Mr Alec Seametso challenged those vested with powers to enforce bye laws to curb indiscriminate disposal of waste.

He was not amused by the status quo where a lot of resources that could have been channeled towards other pertinent developments were directed to waste management issues.

Council secretary for Southern district, Mr Poloko Mojalemotho alluded to bench marking on world best waste management and disposal practices, networking among industry players as some of the objectives of the day.

“The day also accord us with an opportunity to seek how best we can interact with our environs for purposes of sustainability and preservation for future posterity,” he said.

In recognition of efforts towards clean environment, Mabutsane Sub-district scooped pole position followed by Moshupa and Kanye Administration Authority respectively.

Khakhea garnered position one for being the cleanest in large village category and in the process got P1 400 and a certificate for their efforts.

Position two and three went to Digawana and Lotlhakane West with each village getting P1 000 and P800 in that order.

In the medium village category, Kgomokasitwa got first position and P1 400 prize money accompanied by a certificate while Sekoma and Rakhuna came second and third.

The two were also awarded certificates and P1 000 and P800 respectively.

Mogonye came first and in the process went away with P1 400 and a certificate in the small village category while Khonkhwa and Dipotsana occupied second and third positions. Other than being issued with certificates for being the cleanest, the two small villages were given P1 000 and P800 respectively. Ends