23 Jul 2024

Four young women who participated in a renewable energy products and services project have received equipment to help grow their businesses and reduce their carbon footprint.

Ms Taboka Chengeta, 33, of Mahalapye and a farmer received a solar powered fridge, panel and battery while 39-year-old Ms Kemo Begani of Mohembo, who is into horticulture farming, was awarded a solar powered pump, panel and batteries. 

Ms Unomisa Dichaba, 29, of Tonota, who specialises in Motlopi coffee, received a solar dryer, panel, inverter and batteries and Ms Maipelo Kopolo, 31, of Mabule was given a solar cooker, clean cook stove, batteries, panel and inverter respectively.

Speaking at the handing over ceremony recently, US regional environmental science, technology and health hub officer for Southern Africa, Mr Luke Simmons said the equipment would help the recipients to build their businesses, cut electricity costs and reduce their carbon footprint.

The solar-powered water pump, he said, would irrigate a two hectare horticulture farm by sourcing water from the Okavango River while the solar-powered freezer would keep chicken fresh before they went to the market. 

He said the solar-powered dryers would help process Motlopi coffee and the solar-powered oven would bake pastries for sale.

Mr Simmons said by supporting women entrepreneurs, they were not only helping them to transition to low-carbon and climate-resilient businesses, but were also fostering innovation and leadership in the renewable energy sector. 

 He thanked government for partnering with the US embassy to combat climate change and to transition to a low-carbon and climate-resilient economy.

Mr Simmons said the Greening Women Enterprises initiative was more than just technology and was also about creating opportunities, fostering resilience and building a sustainable future for all. 

By reducing greenhouse emissions and enhancing resilience to climate change, he said they could create communities that were adaptable, economically vibrant and protective of livelihoods amidst climate change. 

He added that the project also addressed key goals of the United States national strategy on gender equity and equality by accelerating inclusive actions to tackle the climate crisis and building adaptive capacity.

 “It is about ensuring that everyone has the chance to thrive in the green economy,” he said.

The US embassy partnered with Botswana Climate Change Network (BCCN) to implement the project, and a senior district development officer, Ms Amantle Damen said the US and BCCN were aware that women were more prone to being victims of disasters attributed to climate change.

She said Botswana, just like other countries, was committed to achieving the United Nations Agenda 2036 for sustainable development, adding that the underlying principle of the agenda was to transform the world while leaving no one behind. 

She reasoned that by empowering the recipients there would be no hunger and poverty.

Ms Begani said the equipment would indeed help her to protect the environment by reducing the emission of gases. 

She thanked the US and BCCN for empowering them. 

The project mentor, Ms Thembeka Maphorisa urged recipients to soldier on and to be role models to other women. 

“This is the beginning of a new area to prove the partnership between the US and BCCN has an impact because when we impact a woman, we impact a community,” she said, adding that they must network and collaborate to take their green enterprises to greater heights. Ends