02 Jul 2013

Market day is meant to promote economic diversification drive, youth empowerment and poverty eradication initiatives within all the sectors of the Ministry of Environment, Wildlife and Tourism.

The minister,  Mr Tshekedi Khama said this during the ministry’s market day in Gaborone on June 29. Mr Khama said the market day initiative brought together all those who had a stake and potential of contributing to Botswana's economic growth.

He said the day also allowed the ministry to bring its mandate to the people and urged all those who participated to unite and support local producers by buying their goods. Minister Khama cautioned exhibitors against littering, saying “one of the attributes of a successful business is a clean and safe environment.”

He also reminded them that, “the customer is always right and the customer is the king” and that they could have more sales if they treated customers right. Exhibitors of basketry, garments, interior décor, products from recycled material, flowers, candles, pottery, beadwork, leatherworks, fresh plants and other plants participated.

In an interview, one of the exhibitors, Mr Billy Madigele of Somarelang Tikologo said their organisation aimed at protecting the environment. It took many initiatives over the years to reduce the amount of solid waste going into landfills and negotiated with government over the regulation of plastic bag use and the establishment of the ecological park, he said.

Another exhibitor, assistant natural resources officer of Department of Environmental Affairs, Ms Linnet Nyandoro also emphasised the importance of protecting the environment. She outlined their department’s goals as increasing the effectiveness with which natural resources were used and managed to ensure optimum beneficial interactions and minimised environmental side effects.

One of the goals, she said, included the conservation of natural resources by formulating, coordinating and monitoring the implementation of national environmental policies, programmes and legislation. ENDS