07 Jun 2023

Environmental regeneration requires strategic partnerships and therefore the need for stakeholders to collaborate in order to protect the environment and act against indiscriminate disposal of waste.

Jwaneng Town Council (JTC) deputy mayor, Mr Themba Pema said at the commemoration of World Environment Day in Jwaneng on Monday that, “Such contributions would not only result in a cleaner environment, but would also feed into the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), which seek to protect the planet and its natural resources.” 

In addition to the Environmental Regeneration Strategy, which was launched two years ago, he said the JTC had embarked on ward clean-up competitions in preparation for the World Clean-Up Campaign pencilled for September.

He added that the clean-up competitions were part of the strategies intended to involve communities in keeping the environment clean.

Furthermore, Mr Pema applauded Jwaneng mine for their commitment to upholding the highest Safety Health and Environment (SHE) standards in their operations.

“I commend Jwaneng mine for committing to their policies on protecting the health of the employees and the environment, even outside the work environment,” he noted.

Consequently, he appealed to Jwaneng mine leadership to assist the council in the implementation of the Environmental Regeneration Strategy as a long-lasting legacy for the township. He said as a sparkling town, Jwaneng deserved to be kept clean at all times to reflect the precious diamond they mined. He also encouraged communities to explore business opportunities in recycling of waste.

For his part, Jwaneng Mine senior safety and sustainability development manager, Dr Kegomoditswe Maphane said key stakeholders needed to protect the environment and avert the effects of global warming.

Dr Maphane noted that this year’s World Environment Day theme, #beatplasticpollution, resonated with the mine’s sustainability journey.

“Like the rest of the world, Jwaneng mine is concerned about the negative impact of the plastic on the environment. The rate at which these are consumed has become alarming,” he noted.

He noted that since plastics were non-biodegradable, their waste had affected water sources and landfill environments, thereby contributing to some animal mortalities.

Subsequently, he underscored the need for sustainable ways of managing plastic waste and exploring valuable opportunities from such waste.

He said as a company that believed in the value of waste material and abhorred single-use plastic, they were available to partner with other organisations on areas of raising awareness and showcasing plastic management strategies.

“We subscribe to zero recyclable material to landfill. We believe that waste is a key resource that can be used for the betterment of mankind,” he said.

In his welcome remarks, Jwaneng mine acting general manager, Mr Goitseone Gadifele said the company was committed to raising awareness and joining other strategic partners in beating plastic pollution. Mr Gadifele said Jwaneng Mine was not only responsible for diamond mining, but in extension, protecting communities within which it operated.

“Our definite commitment is to mine our diamonds responsibly, therefore we have found it fit to join the rest of the world in the fight against plastic pollution,” he said. Ends