16 Mar 2026

 

 

The National Clean-Up Campaign is a challenge to the nation to rediscover its pride, sense of responsibility and shared duty to protect the country’s environment, as the land they call home.

This was said by President Advocate Duma Boko during the launch of the National Clean-Up Campaign in Gaborone on Saturday.

He said the initiative went beyond litter picking, but was also about rehabilitating public spaces, improving lighting in cities, planting trees and maintaining infrastructure to create cleaner, safer and more attractive communities.

President stated that neglected areas, often became dumping grounds.

“The solution is to reclaim such spaces by rehabilitating them, planting trees and making them safe and attractive,” he added.

He further said the launch, held under the theme: A Clean, Green, Safe and Proud Botswana, marked the formal beginning of the campaign, with the capital city deliberately chosen as the starting point.

“This city is the face of our nation. It is where the world comes to see Botswana, and it must reflect the pride, discipline and dignity of our people,” said President Boko, who also urged traditional leaders, schoolchildren, business community, faith groups and civil society organisations, to participate in a monthly national clean-up campaign to be held every second Saturday.

President Boko appealed to businesses to improve lighting around their buildings and make the Gaborone safer and more welcoming at night.

He cited the example of Addis Ababa in Ethiopia, which promoted its illuminated skyline under the concept of ‘Addis by Night’.

“Light up your buildings. A well-lit building deters crime and creates a beautiful environment for people,” he said.

President Boko also announced that all schools across the country would be refurbished as part of government efforts to improve public infrastructure.

He said government had established a special company that would be responsible for the refurbishment and maintenance of schools and teachers’ residences

In addition, he said efforts were underway to strengthen the national school feeding programme, so as to ensure that pupils received breakfast and lunch.

For his part, Minister of Local Government and Traditional Affairs, Mr Ketlhalefile Motshegwa, described the initiative as a powerful call to national action.

He said the cleanliness of the country went beyond appearances, as it was also about the health of the people, dignity of communities and the legacy left for future generations.

He therefore implored Batswana to participate in the initiative he termed, a long-term national movement.

The launch was immediately followed by a tree planting ceremony, led the President at Bosele Primary School where the event was held, and thereafter litter picking. End