06 Sep 2022

Banning of disposable diapers should be seriously considered, says Member of Parliament for Kanye South, Dr Lemogang Kwape. Dr Kwape made the suggestion in a recent interview, on the side-lines of a clean-up campaign organised by Keitsholofetse Psycho Social Support Club for Pregnant Women, in collaboration with tr Kanye South constituency office.

He said indiscriminate disposal  of diapers was concern as they account for a large percentage of waste found in illegal dumping sites.

 He suggested that disposable diapers should be banned and be replaced with  re-usable cotton nappies.

He said diapers were not only an eyesore, but a serious health concern, stressing the need for proper management for use and disposal of disposal diapers.

Dr Kwape longed for the reintroduction of re-usable nappies, saying they were friendlier to the environment. “We have noted with concern the misuse and improper dumping of disposable diapers.  I am of the view that the time has come for us to instigate proper laws and policies with regard to that,” he reiterated.

“This will reduce our expenses as instead of having to regularly buy diapers, we can purchase other utilities,” he said.

Dr Kwape shared that while most litter also consisted of plastics, water bottles and glass alcoholic bottle, there were many cattle hides, which he said might be sign that stock theft. 

He lamented that such waste spoiled the experience of those visitors who want to view nature at its best and not walk on a garbage dump.

The MP said that there should be no excuse for dumping waste illegally, adding that mostly those who do so avoid to pay disposal fees.

“The battle against littering is not solely won through clean-up operations, but by making people aware of the impact of littering, therefore we will continually engage with the community,” he said. Dr Kwape urged law enforcement and waste management teams to collaborate to institute punitive measures to such perpetrators.

He also advised the community to report such incidents and provide information that could assist in identifying such persons.

Dr Kwape said the high rise of cases of illegal waste disposal around the village, adding “we have since embarked on an initiative to conduct a clean-up campaign every month”.

For her part, the founder of Keitsholofetse Psycho Social Support Club, Ms Pontsho Kodisa said the campaign was a way of giving back to the community.

She said they chose to clean Motlhatse ward, near Kgwakgwe Hill as it was the exploratory site where Giyani Metals, which is soon to mine Manganese, would be operating.

“The move is a way of welcoming them and encouraging them to feel at ease as they perform their operations,” she said.

Ms Kodisa said as the event coincided with the month September, which has been set aside as the month of prayer, their aim was to also teach patients on signs depression and provide therapy. Ends