SOWA TOWN: Mayor Oliphant Mfa has expressed concern over the rise in Covid-19 infections at the mining town. Addressing a full council meeting last week in Sowa Town Mfa said the mining town continues to register more cases daily.
“BOTASH had its production negatively affected because of the Covid-19 outbreak. Despite this dire situation, the mine has found it fit to roll out the Sustainable mining initiative on top of other numerous corporate social responsibilities implemented in the past,” Mfa said.
He said this was a commendable initiative and will rump up the limited developments in the region. He pleaded with Sowa town councilors to take a leading role in developmental issues to advance their overall mandate of serving the community.
“Ever since the upsurge Sowa town has tested 1 096 people using Rapid Testing and 82 came up positive. We have 12 active cases on home isolation, 9 within Sowa Township and two were transferred to Dukwi Refugee Camp on the 25th of February 2021,” he said.
He said there were 69 recoveries and two deaths. He said the situation was not helped by the fact that regional isolation areas such as Matsiloje and Ntshe clinic are filled to capacity and authorities have been compelled to adopt a strategy of home isolation. Mfa called for affected individuals to take responsibility and abide by the instructions of health officials for the initiative to be fruitful.
“We all know the shortages of accommodation in Sowa town and I plead with those who can provide space to those affected to do so whenever they can,” he said.
He lauded the government for its efforts to secure Covid-19 vaccine with innoculation anticipated to start this month. He said although this signifies a positive move towards fighting the outbreak, the public has to remain vigilant and keep up with the set Covid-19 protocols.
Mfa said it was quite evident that the community needed psycho-social support to remedy the negative effects of the ever-pressing lifestyle changes brought about by the outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic.
“We still register incidences of violence and other social ills in all their forms as revealed by our law enforcers. I would like to guide that we have professional social welfare officers here in Sowa town council and they are always available for help in reference to psycho-social rescue,” he said.
He commended Botswana Ash (BOTASH) for coming up with a sustainable mining initiative to help communities in the vicinity to focus on environmental, infrastructure, water and education among others. He said this will help sustain such communities and balance livelihoods with mining operations.
“BOTASH had its production negatively affected because of the Covid-19 outbreak. Despite this dire situation, the mine has found it discreet to roll out the Sustainable mining initiative on top of other numerous corporate social responsibilities implemented in the past,” Mfa said.
