A cleanup campaign in Disaneng spearheaded Eco-Sustain Trust brought together volunteers last weekend under the theme “Together for a Cleaner Community.” The campaign aimed at tackling the persistent issue of littering and pollution in the area, particularly illegal dumping of waste.
Olefile Motshereganyi, founder of ECO-Sustain Trust, emphasised the importance of the initiative, stating, “We saw it fit to take on this issue of littering because it is a growing problem that seems not to be taken seriously. It affects everyone—from children to parents and even animals, which are ultimately impacted by pollution.”
The campaign brought together volunteers from organisations such as Red Cross Botswana and members of the Village Development Committee (VDC). They combed through the ward, collecting litter from residential areas and illegal dumps hidden among Mophane tree vegetation. The collected waste was bagged and transported for proper disposal with assistance from a truck provided by a local partner.
Illegal dumping emerged as a major concern during the cleanup. Motshereganyi highlighted the troubling trend of residents using abandoned borrow pits and hidden areas as makeshift dumpsites, despite the availability of an official landfill in the town. He noted, “The issue of pollution is primarily caused by residents who choose to litter in areas not designated for waste disposal. This practice has health implications for the community, which we strongly discourage. It’s disheartening that some people simply relocate their dumping activities to other illegal sites when caught.”
This year alone, ECO-Sustain Trust has conducted similar campaigns, including a river cleanup aimed at maintaining sanitation for both residents and tourists. However, the organization continues to face challenges in securing community and business support for its initiatives.
“We approached several business owners, especially within the produce retail sector, to sponsor this campaign, but we didn’t receive the support we had hoped for. This lack of backing impacts the effectiveness of our efforts,” Motshereganyi explained.
ECO-Sustain Trust was established on May 23, 2022, with a mission to promote environmental sustainability through collaboration with local communities and conservation organizations. The trust focuses on four key areas such as Community Development and Education, Wildlife Monitoring and Research, Environmental Sensitization and Rehabilitation, Climate Change Mitigation
Despite these challenges, Motshereganyi expressed gratitude for the support the campaign has received so far. He concluded by stating, “I am thankful for the support we have received so far but would request more assistance as this land is something we all share. Finding better ways to dispose of waste is the aim of it all, which will ultimately be for the betterment of society. Our organisation will continue to other wards in Maun to spread the message and create a cleaner environment.”
