16 May 2024

Families play a role as primary socialisation point to educate, drive economy and provide social support, says the Assistant Minister of Local Government and Rural Development, Mr Mabuse Pule.

Speaking during commemoration of  International Day of Families in Kazungula May 15, Mr Pule said the day was a reminder of the importance of families as fundamental unit of society.

Also, he said the day recognised crucial role that families played in nurturing and shaping the lives of individuals and communities.

Mr Pule said this year’s theme: Families and Climate Change: International Year of the Family +30, drew attention to issues of climate change which caused havoc globally.

He said climate change posed a threat to families worldwide exacerbating existing vulnerabilities and creating new challenges.

“Families in marginalised communities bear the brunt of climate change consequences facing displacement, loss of livelihoods and increased health risks,” he said.

Mr Pule said the event also aimed to raise awareness and capacitate the public on climate change mitigation, adaptation and impact reduction.

Furthermore, he said the commemoration discussed key issues in integrating climate change measures into national policies, strategies and planning.

The assistant minister said there was need to educate families and communities about the importance of biodiversity conservation and ecosystem restoration.

He encouraged Batswana to invest in renewable energy technologies such as solar power and decrease carbon emissions that may be caused by mining industry operations, carbon monoxide from cars and burning litter.

Mr Pule said discussions had revealed that climate change affected families in that men who worked under extreme hot conditions caused by climate change may suffer from acute exhaustion hence affecting their sexual performance.

 In his remarks, Kgosi Morgan Makhanga of Kazungula thanked government for hosting international events in the village as they cultivated local economic growth.

He encouraged couples cohabiting and co-parenting to get married and raise children in an environment that would spark an interest in the institution of marriage which was deteriorating due to cohabitation.

He said Kazungula was growing rapidly due to it being a Kasane planning area hence presenting new challenges in the social spectrum.

Kgosi Makhanga said this year’s theme challenged people to think deeper and understand what climate change was and what mitigations they could apply at family level to cushion themselves against the scourge.  Ends