22 Sep 2020

 Botswana will join the international community in commemoration of the World Habitat Day on  October 5.

According to Ministry of Infrastructure and Housing Development Chief Public Relations Officer, Mr Christopher Nyanga, the country started observing World Habitat  Day in 2005 with the intention to reach the grassroots and showcase how different communities tackled challenges facing human settlements.

Mr Nyanga said due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the commemoration would be held virtually in Gaborone and various online platforms would be utilised to ensure that the messages reached all people across the country.

Mr Nyanga noted that this year’s theme was Housing for All: A better Urban Future, emphasising that housing was an integral part of human settlements development, and should be placed at the centre of urban planning and development. 

“Each year, World Habitat Day takes on a new theme to bring attention to United Nation Habitat’s mandate and vision to promote sustainable urban development policies,” he explained. 

He further said the annual themes prompted all stakeholders to reflect on how to implement concrete initiatives which ensured adequate and affordable housing in the context of the implementation of the New Urban Agenda as well as the achievement of the Sustainable Goals (SDGs).

Mr Nyanga further explained that  government had over the years came up with laws, policies and initiatives meant to facilitate home ownership for all and used the day to reflect on achievements made, challenges and brainstorm on other viable options that could be taken to better the facilitation of shelter and affordability of housing.

World Habitat Day has been designed to reflect on the state of human settlement, reflect on access to housing, raise awareness on the problems facing the human habitat and remind the country and the public that they have the responsibility to shape the future of our human settlements. Ends