13 Jul 2026

Fairgrounds Holdings and Tshole Trust have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to promote nature-based solutions to waste management, with used oil recycling as the central focus.

The MoU, signed  in Gaborone recently, sets out three key commitments namely; building frameworks to handle hazardous waste (particularly used oil), installing infrastructure for its disposal and recycling, and running environmental education campaigns across the country.

The partnership falls under this year’s Inter-Oil Games theme: From Waste to Worth: Powering a Cleaner Botswana.

Fairgrounds Holdings chief executive officer, Ms Gorata Gabaraane, described the agreement as the start of a partnership grounded in shared standards. 

The Inter-Oil Games, she said, have become one of Botswana’s major sporting events, pulling in companies, sponsors, athletes, business leaders, and the media.

“The games promote healthy competition, strengthen relationships, and encourage collaboration across the energy sector,” she said, adding that the event also reflects how organisations are built through relationships, not just business transactions.

Tshole Trust executive coordinator, Mr Michael Matlapeng, explained that the trust operated under the Extended Producer Responsibility model and was funded by companies that met set standards on safety, health, and the environment.

He said the MoU showed that the partnership was not driven by profit alone, but by the environmental, social, and governance principles the Trust upholds. 

Fairgrounds Holdings operations manager, Mr Johane Aaron said sustainability was a defining feature of this year’s games. 

“We recognise that major events have a responsibility to contribute positively to the environment and the communities they serve,” he said.

He pointed to resource use, waste reduction, and catering practices as areas the partnership would address directly, with the goal that visitors leave remembering the event’s impact as much as the football.

When delivering welcome remarks earlier, Fairgrounds Holdings human resources manager, Mr Tshepo Kgari, described the Inter-Oil Games as one of the most recognized events in the energy sector, noting that their success, like that of any organisation, depend on collaboration.

Tshole Trust’s Ms Amantle Mantu conveyed the ninth edition of the games will take place on August 22, at the Bank of Botswana grounds, with about 22 corporate teams from the petroleum and allied industries competing.

Ms Mantu stated that the tournament does more than test teams on the field as it builds staff awareness, strengthens relationships between corporates, and promotes responsible used oil management in keeping with Tshole Trust’s mandate.  ENDS