When we look at various problems affecting our greater world, or we look at challenges in nations far away from Botswana, we have that slightly sombre, almost nonchalant look on our faces, where we are not sure if we should show a bit of empathy, or feign ignorance.

One of the things we as Batswana are guilty of is using our population as an excuse for doing wrong, or in our minds, just a little bit of wrong. We are not that bad compared to others. When our population was 1.6 million, and in light a global problem, we would say “we are just 1.6 million”. Soon we were 2 million in size, and now we are well on our way 2.5 million. Bo Kleva would go on and say, “look at Nigeria, 200 million people, we are 1% or their size!” Just because we contribute a tiny fraction to the problem, should our actions or inactions mean any less than other nations?

In a recent survey that Meeticks Africa conducted in Gaborone and Francistown, participants were asked questions related to plastic bag usage as well as plastic pollution. Every respondent questioned was aware of the negative effects of plastics, and did not have to be told of the harms of plastics. They knew that they were bad for the environment and tourism, bad for wildlife and domestic animals, and surprisingly (being in a landlocked country) some even knew that plastic waste was bad for the ocean and marine life.

The next question was, “now that you are aware of the problem, what are you doing about it?” Many people answered by saying that they don’t litter. This was a good start, showing that the campaigns by government and in the schools yielded fruitful results. However, that’s where it stopped. No respondent talked about recycling, and no respondent talked about using plastic alternatives, or reducing plastic consumption. The education they received was “No Littering”, and as long as they complied with that message, they were pleased with themselves. 100 marks. Any other actions were not necessary. Any other problems regarding plastic waste in other parts of the planet had nothing to do with them.

This is where the Change at the Till campaign comes in. We are educating Batswana about the effects of plastic bag usage, as well as steps that they can take as individuals, and as a community, to be a part of the solution and not contributors to the problem. Something as simple as saying NO when asked at the till if you want a plastic bag, and opting for a Reusable Shopping

Bags (RSBs) instead is how you contribute to the greater good of the world.

Change at the Till is providing knowledge, through every medium we can get our hands on, from social media to newspapers, radio to tv, and most importantly, through our WhatsApp Chatbot, where users complete challenges to earn rewards and redeem prizes. WhatsApp “Hi” to 75389804 to get started.

We are saying to every Motswana, that you can #MakeChangeBW.

We are not doing it alone however, together with social media influencers, such as Marang Selolwane, Kennedy Thal, and others, we are calling on all Batswana to join this challenge.

We also call on corporate Botswana to join this challenge. Contact info@meeticks.africa to register your interest.

In closing, we part with wise words “You might not see the wind, but you can see the effects of the wind”. You will see the leaves on the trees russling, or the soily sands swirling, or hear the sank on the roof slapping. Just because you don’t see the problem, doesn’t mean it doesn’t exist. Watch the signs.