*F/town Mayor forges ahead with toilet initiative
Following the success of the inaugural Francistown Mayor’s Charity Walk held on October 25 last year, Francistown City Mayor Gaone Majere has begun delivering on some of the promises made during the event.
The walk, which showcased some of the city’s most iconic landmarks, also served as a fundraising platform for a humanitarian project aimed at assisting underprivileged residents.
Held under the theme “Walk for Humanity, Know Your City,” the initiative was designed not only to celebrate Francistown’s heritage trail but also to mobilise support for vulnerable members of the community. Through the Mayor’s Office, the initiative set out to uplift disadvantaged families while encouraging residents to appreciate the city’s cultural and historical significance.
Using proceeds raised from the charity walk, Majere and his team committed to constructing water-borne toilets for at least 30 families across the city.
The project is part of a broader effort to improve sanitation, promote public health, and restore dignity to households that still rely on pit latrines.
In an interview with The Voice on Monday, Majere confirmed that construction of some of the toilets has already begun, while the process of identifying additional beneficiaries is ongoing.
The Mayor explained that eliminating pit latrines, commonly known as ‘long- drops’ in Botswana’s second city will help reduce groundwater contamination and promote cleaner, safer environments. He added that the initiative will
significantly improve the quality of life, health, and dignity of the beneficiary families.
“This project, which we aim to complete by the end of May, is more than just an infrastructure development. It represents a step toward building inclusive and sustainable communities where every family has access to safe and dignified
sanitation,” Majere said.
Majere further noted that the charity walk was not only about phasing out pit latrines, but also about encouraging healthy lifestyles, strengthening community bonds, and raising awareness about humanitarian values.
“This project and the Charity Walk are proof that when a community walks together, hand in hand, it can achieve remarkable things. We intend to carry forward this spirit of compassion and collaboration beyond this initiative by
continuing to support one another in building a caring and inclusive city,” he added.
The initiative aligns with broader national and global efforts to improve sanitation and public health, as access to proper sanitation remains a key component of sustainable urban development.
