By Thoboloko Ntšonyane

MASERU – To protect the environment and ensure the achievement of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) focused on land and environmental preservation, a united effort between communities and governments is essential.

SDG No. 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation), SDG No. 14 (Life Below Water), and SDG No. 15 (Life on Land) directly address the challenges posed by environmental degradation, plastic pollution, and the need for responsible land use.

Youth leader and SDGs advocate and promoter Tšepo Nkhabu highlights that the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are universal, affecting everyone.

He argues that government efforts alone are not enough, communities must play an active role by adopting environmentally friendly practices, such as waste segregation and reducing plastic use in daily life. Educational campaigns and community clean-up initiatives, he believes can further raise awareness and drive action towards achieving these SDGs.

 Reflecting on his experience in urban planning during an exchange programme in the United States of America (USA), Nkhabu showed that Lesotho could benefit from adopting more inclusive planning processes. In the US, he said communities are engaged before the construction of roads and infrastructure, a practice he believes could improve project outcomes in Lesotho.

Nkhabu further expressed concern over the state of urban sanitation, noting that the unpleasant stench from neglected waste poses significant health risks. He described the sight of uncollected garbage as an eyesore, stressing the need for better upkeep.

Linking this to SDG No. 6, which calls for clean water and sanitation, he pointed out that there is a lack of proper water circulation and purification processes, which are essential for ensuring a continuous supply of clean water to communities.

“The role of the youth in this effort is to share information,” Nkhabu said. He advocated for improved waste management, suggesting that garbage collection trucks should not mix waste, but instead separate it into categories such as glass, plastics, and bottles.

Drawing on the knowledge he gained in Texas, Nkhabu proposed offering training sessions to educate the public about cleanliness. He argued that sporadic cleaning campaigns, often timed to coincide with global climate action events, are insufficient. Instead calling for a permanent culture of cleanliness.

Nkhabu also stressed the importance of teaching students not to litter, warning that environmental pollution could threaten food security. Polluted land and water not only impact on food production but also endanger aquatic life.

He added that ecosystems, including pollinators like bees, are at risk due to careless human activities. The loss of plants and habitats vital to bees could disrupt pollination, further compromising the food systems.

Through their organization, Hands of Life, Nkhabu and his team have embarked on a nationwide initiative, “Cycle 4 SDGs,” to promote the goals. They also host virtual platforms to raise awareness, especially among the youth, about environmental issues and SDGs. As part of their efforts, they organize youth tours to help youth better appreciate the SDGs and the beauty of their country.

Nkhabu believes that teaching young people is most effective through exploration and first-hand experience, rather than traditional classroom settings. He announced plans to collaborate with the Mafeteng Urban Council to advance environmental protection efforts, acknowledging that information about SDGs is often concentrated in Maseru, leaving many in other districts uninformed. Even when information does reach outlying areas, he said it often arrives too late to inspire action.

He called for SDG materials to be available in Sesotho, ensuring that everyone can understand and engage with them. Nkhabu also stressed the need to revise information delivery methods to make them more impactful, particularly in rural and highland communities where shepherds still burn grass, unintentionally destroying seeds and harming animals.

As the world falls behind in achieving the SDGs as stated during the UN General Assembly in September, it is crucial to recognize the devastating impact of plastic pollution on both our environment and public health. From contaminated water to poisoned soil, the plastic waste crisis affects ecosystems, animals, and the very food and water sources people depend on for survival.

Without urgent action from governments, communities, and individuals to reduce plastic use, clean up pollution, and adopt sustainable practices, SDGs like clean water, life below water, and life on land will remain far out of reach. This calls for the time for decisive, collective efforts to protect the planet for future generations.

Reports have shown that the land, littered with plastics and polluted water, poses a significant threat to both human and animal life. Plastics, which take many years to decompose, contaminate the soil and waterways, affecting not only flora and fauna but also the people who rely on this land for food and water.

Animals die from ingesting plastics leading to poisoning and sometimes suffer complications.

For people, polluted water can cause diseases, while the degradation of the environment affects agricultural production and contributes to food insecurity for many livelihoods.

During the recent SEBABATSO Youth Empowerment Initiative Conference, the Prime Minister, Rt Hon Sam Matekane, announced the government’s plans to phase out the use of plastics. He also urged young innovators to develop environmentally friendly packaging solutions for shopping.

In 2021, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), in collaboration with the government, promoted a ‘Plastic Free Day’. However, despite those efforts, plastics remain a common feature in shops. The introduction of legislation banning plastics or the enforcement of the ‘polluter pays’ principle could lead to a decrease in the use of plastics.

The United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework Lesotho 2024- 2028 which the government has entered into says, “The pillar on food systems and environmental sustainability acknowledges the interconnectedness of the need for the nation to be food self-sufficient on the one hand, and the dependency on natural resources such as land and water for resilience building on the other.”

It continues: “The ability of the country and the people of Lesotho to find the balance and manage said finite natural endowments (protecting the environment including wetlands, rangelands and biodiversity) in a sustainable manner that is mutually beneficial for both people and the planet….”

While there have not been tangible results, Lesotho has been working on environmental protection measures, particularly through its alignment with global initiatives aimed at reducing plastic pollution. It is a party to the United Nations’ call for action on plastic pollution. In 2018, the UN passed a resolution urging Member States to reduce plastic waste and promote sustainable alternatives.

Countries such as Tanzania and Rwanda have shown significant progress after implementing plastic bans. Tanzania, for instance, banned plastic bags in 2019, leading to noticeable improvements in environmental cleanliness and wildlife protection.

Rwanda’s efforts, which began earlier in 2008, have transformed it into one of the cleanest countries in Africa. The ban on plastic bags has drastically reduced litter and pollution.

This environmental progress has also reportedly enhanced tourism in these countries and some countries are taking a leaf from their books.

Nkhabu further lamented the lack of personal responsibility, pointing out that even dead animals are discarded carelessly in dongas. He argued that people should act responsibly.

He challenged the government also to take climate action not because of external funding and pressure from development partners, but out of understanding of what is right. “We need everyone to do good, no matter how small the action. In the end, it will make a difference,” he said, encouraging people to engage in meaningful conversations about climate action.