COFC launches 30-Day Clean-Up Campaign
The City of Francistown Council (COFC) has joined the rest of the world in taking part in the 2025 World Cleanup Day, an annual global initiative held every September 20th.
The movement, launched on September 15, 2018, aims to involve 5 percent of the world’s population in environmental action.
It successfully mobilised 18 million people worldwide in its inaugural year.
This year’s campaign, themed “Strive for Five,” is expected to attract 19.1 million participants from 198 countries and collectively collect over 219,000 tonnes of waste.
The theme draws attention to the impact of textile waste and encourages individuals to be part of the solution. The “Strive for Five” concept calls on 5% of the global population to become environmental leaders and change agents in their communities.
Francistown Mayor Gaone Majere has rallied his team and residents to take part in this important global movement.
As a build-up to the international commemoration, he launched a 30-Day Activism Clean-Up Campaign.
The council has adopted the local theme: “Clean Today, Green Tomorrow: Our City, Our Responsibility” a message the Mayor says aligns with efforts to attract investment and revive the city’s economy.
“There has been growing concern over dirty open spaces, clogged culverts, and overgrown pathways throughout the city,” Majere noted.
“Our focus has been on littered passages in the city centre and abandoned plots in some of our most densely populated areas, which have now become dumping grounds,” he added.
He further explained that council teams will also be clearing overgrown grass along pathways and roadsides to improve the city’s overall image.
“We want to give Francistown an appearance that will be appreciated by all,” he said.
The Mayor also highlighted that the clean-up campaign is a collaborative effort involving the Botswana Red Cross, Botswana Defence Force (BDF), and Ward Development Committees (WDCs).
He urged WDCs to actively involve local residents in the initiative.
“Soon, I’ll also appeal to Business Botswana to engage the business community. We may need their support in providing equipment and machinery to help manage the collected waste,” Majere concluded.
