Gabane trust launches environment documentary

ARNOLD LETSHOLO
Correspondent | Friday December 17, 2010 00:00

Titled Ditlhakane - the river that transformed the lives of the people in Gabane village now facing modern environmental degradation - the documentary's production was sponsored by the Global Environment Facility Small Grants Program under the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP-GEF/SGP). The production cost US$11,000 to complete.

The UN Resident Coordinator and UNDP Resident Representative, Khin-Sandi Lwin, officiated at the DVD launch last Friday.

Though poorly attended by media houses, the event attracted the presence of various stakeholders including councillors, UNDP and GEF/SGP committee members and officials, representatives from ministries, non-governmental organisations (NGOs) as well as CBOs and even youth theatre and drama groups.

In her remarks, Sandi Lwin explained that the documentary is a means to explore and show the effects of human activities on the resources in Ditlhakane River and to highlight that co-existence and sustainable use of natural resources is possible and will be beneficial to the community.

On the intended results of the documentary she said it was 'to show the importance and relationship of Ditlhakane River to the Gabane and Kumakwane communities; to demonstrate the effects and impacts of modern development on the traditional lifestyle of the communities in particular the social and economic aspects'.

'To highlight the plight of Ditlhakane River due to indiscriminate usage, pollution and depletion of resources; as well as to show the effects of conflicting national policies on natural resources and lobby for possible amendments to cope with the changing socio-economic situation'.

She further said it is meant to contribute to the attainment of the Vision 2016 pillars of an educated and informed nation and a prosperous, productive and innovative nation as well as the Millennium Development Goal (MDG) on ensuring environmental sustainability.

Sandi Lwin took the opportunity to give a brief background of GEF/SGP which she said was established in 1992 after the Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, and is rooted in the belief that global environmental problems can best be addressed by the local people through their involvement by generating direct community benefits and ownership.  

Its principle of 'Local action-global impact', she said, has proven time and again that supporting community level strategies, field tested technologies and implementation of innovative methods have potential and the means to reduce threats to the global environment, generate benefits and promote coexistence.

'This documentary is an excellent example of this principle and it's meant to contribute to attainment of one of the programme goals of securing global environmental benefits in the GEF focal areas in particular prevention of land degradation,' she said to loud applause.Prior to her presentation, GCT chairman, James Masokwane, welcomed guests and appreciated the efforts put in by Gabane Chief, Kgosi Seeletso Pule, in registering the Gabane Community Trust as a legal entity that would prosecute and be prosecuted on behalf of the tribe. 

Gabane's proximity to Gabrone city, he said, subjects its community to the vagaries of modern day lifestyles, including pollution and land degradation.

'This DVD is only part of the work to be done in Ditlhakane River. We still have to rehabilitate that area. This needs networking and hopefully our gathering here today is the beginning of the same,' he said.

He thanked the GEF/SGP and their support and the researchers, script-writers, director and producers of the documentary who are the Trust's Secretary and Botswana Television (Btv) producer Patrick Morolong for the role they played in the unique project. Apparently it was the Trust's secretary's idea to solicit for funds and ultimately shoot the documentary.

Masokwane took the opportunity to request that GCT to be given access to the great Gaborone map as Gabane falls under its jurisdiction.

'We should safeguard prime lands in our areas lest private companies take over from where the current ones stopped and abuse our prime land. We cannot afford to be spectators while companies utilise our lucrative lands,' he said.

Apparently this launch was made just a fortnight after a Youth and Environment Association was launched in neighbouring Kumakwane. The events of that YEA launch included touring the degraded area at Ditlhakane. (Sila Press Agency)