23 Jun 2020

Wide knowledge and the understanding of environmental issues has driven 46-year-old Ms Bontekanye Botumile of Maun to venture into a recycling project to manage waste and ensure a sustainable environment.

She explained in an interview that plans were underway to expand her project to produce natural gas/biogas using raw materials such as agricultural waste, animal waste and landfill waste.

Biogas is produced when organic matter decomposes without oxygen. 

Once it is processed, biogas is exactly the same as fossil-fuel natural gas in terms of molecular structure and can be used as renewable fuel.

She stated that biogas was an ideal technology as it protected the air, water, and soil. 

In addition to being profitable, it is a safe and responsible waste management system that has a positive impact on the environment.

Ms Botumile revealed that she had enrolled on an online course to learn more about biogas, adding that she had already contacted companies which supplied the necessary equipment.

Her dream is to launch the project before the end of the year, as she wants to be the first person to produce biogas in Maun. 

She pointed out that she had approached the district council to discuss if she could source waste from their landfill in an effort to manage waste.

She is of the view that the project could sustain many families in rural areas and reduce their cost of living.

She also pointed out that her farm could be used as a benchmarking site for those interested in venturing into recycling projects or biogas.

“I am willing to assist and impart knowledge to young people who want to learn business skills and follow their dreams of becoming successful entrepreneurs,” she said.

 Ms Botumile explained that she grew up in Orapa with her parents who were conscious about waste management, something that influenced her passion for the environment. 

Her home is a big farm just along the Thamalakane River and it looks more like a recreational park, signifying the relationship she has with the environment. 

Her yard is home to many recyclable items such as bottles, tyres, tins, papers for recreation of among others flower pots, décor, chairs and decomposition containers for those interested in irrigation farming.

She said working in safari lodges and hotels as manager also exposed her to the environment around her thereby helping to realise opportunities that could be exploited. 

“I started viewing waste as something one could make a living out of,” she added.

She said while litter on the streets has become a topical issue, the community was failing to turn that trash into a source of living which could help generate the economy. 

She cited places like San Francisco where trash picking has become part of an underground economy where it was sold in exchange for money.

Ms Botumile said it was disturbing to see people disposing large amounts of litter at landfills, saying it also represented loss of natural resources.

In addition, she expressed concern that valuable open spaces were used to create landfills to store waste which ended up polluting the environment.

Ms Botumile is also the founder of Tharientsho Story Tellers, which is geared towards preserving culture through storytelling and creative writing. Ends