Residents of Nkurenkuru in the Kavango West Region gathered over the weekend to clean up Namibia’s youngest town.
Nkurenkuru is growing day by day, and with growth comes a whole list of challenges, such as waste management, which, if not handled properly, can lead to pollution.
This growth also puts pressure on natural resources; hence, cleanup campaigns are essential.
"We all share a collective duty to take care of the environment we live in. A clean environment means clean air, safe water, fertile soil, healthy communities, and sustainable livelihoods. It means dignity and hope for our children and grandchildren," said Mayor Jafet Markus.
Clean environments are an opportunity for growth in tourism, agriculture, business and education.
Looking at the amount of waste in and around town means several residents still need to be educated on taking care of their trash.
The Minister of Environment, Forestry and Tourism, Indileni Daniel, pointed out actions that could have devastating consequences on the environment and the people.
"Public urination is not only unhygienic; it is also a form of environmental pollution, public indecency, and cultural decay. It contaminates our soil and water, and it disrespects our shared spaces. The release of balloons into the air during parties, commemorations, and funerals may seem festive, but these balloons eventually fall to the ground, choking wildlife and littering our landscapes. They are a silent threat to biodiversity. People often throw trash, plastic bottles, wrappers, cigarette butts, and other items out of car windows, failing to dispose of them in designated areas. These items accumulate along our roadsides, harming flora and fauna, blocking drainage systems, and creating breeding grounds for diseases that affect all living organisms."
Kavango West governor, Verna Sinimbo, said the national clean-up campaign should be an opportunity to change mindsets and demands everyone's participation.
"Let it be a movement that inspires action every single day. Together, we can make Kavango West an example of environmental responsibility, not just for Namibia, but for the world."