Earth Grade and Climate and Life have partnered to coordinate the Ngamiland Property Expo at Parkview Hotel in Maun from April 25 to April 27. Themed "Sustainable Building," the expo's objective is to advocate for the construction of eco-friendly structures in Botswana. In an interview with BOPA on Tuesday, one of the organizers, Ms. Thapelo Monageng, explained that Maun was chosen as the venue due to its recognition as a 'Green City of Botswana.'
In line with the Botswana Green Building Council's (BotGBC) goals, Ms. Monageng emphasized that the expo aimed to bolster sustainability in the nation's construction industry through promotion, outreach, and educational initiatives on superior building performance. The aim is to foster the adoption of green building principles countrywide.
"We seek to bring together stakeholders from diverse sectors to advance the development of a sustainable built environment in Botswana," she stressed, noting that this objective resonated with the Botswana Green Building Council's mission.
Ms. Monageng revealed that the Botswana Green Building Council (BotGBC), a non-profit organization dedicated to advocating sustainable building practices nationally, is supporting the expo.
The event will feature exhibitions and booths by property developers, construction firms, property assessors, potential homeowners, real estate agents, architects, and financial institutions.
"Green building concepts and methodologies are becoming increasingly integral to the design, construction, and operation of buildings, applicable to both new and existing structures," Ms. Monageng explained. One of the scheduled speakers for the event, Mr. Ntokozo Vellah of BotGBC, emphasized the importance of transitioning to a net-zero, healthy, and resilient built environment throughout Botswana, stressing that achieving this goal required collaborative efforts from all stakeholders in the building sector.
"We're thrilled to participate in this property expo because it will raise awareness about the significance of green buildings as climate-resilient structures. We aim to uphold these values, learn from others, and showcase exemplary green building initiatives for climate change adaptation," he stated.
Mr. Vellah noted that the building sector accounted for 35% of carbon emissions, emphasizing the need to promote more sustainable building practices.
Therefore, he stressed the importance of educating the public about green buildings' definition, necessity, and benefits by the expo's conclusion. He expressed satisfaction that the expo's organization had garnered interest from government bodies, such as the Department of Town and Country Planning.
Among the speakers, Mr. Vellah mentioned University of Botswanas Okavango Research Institute (ORI) Professor of Tourism Studies, Prof. Joseph Mbaiwa, SACAs founder and president, Dr. Loyiso Ngavu, and Global Ambassador of Africa Tourism Board, Dr. Levy Motebejane, who will moderate the event.
