Windhoek: The increasing presence of baboons in human settlements has become a growing concern linked to poor waste management, Prime Minister Elijah Ngurare said on Saturday as he relaunched the Clean-Up Namibia campaign.

According to Namibia Press Agency, Ngurare indicated that areas around Goreangab, Havana, and other parts of Windhoek were experiencing the consequences of careless waste disposal, with exposed food waste attracting baboons and other animals. He emphasized that while baboons may appear harmless from a distance, they can become a serious nuisance and, in some circumstances, a danger to society when they become accustomed to human settlements and begin searching for food among households and public spaces.

Ngurare highlighted that children, older persons, and other vulnerable community members could be particularly exposed to the dangers posed by baboons. He stressed that the situation demonstrated that waste management is about more than just keeping streets and public spaces tidy; poor waste management could have broader consequences for public health, livestock, biodiversity, tourism, and the overall attractiveness of towns and cities.

Ngurare remarked, "A clean environment is not about streets that look attractive. It is about the health, dignity, and quality of life of our people." He noted that Namibia had long been recognized for its commitment to environmental protection and sustainable natural resource management, with Windhoek having been acknowledged as one of Africa's cleanest cities for many years. However, increasing littering, illegal dumping, plastic pollution, and poor waste management now threaten the environment, public health, urban appearance, and the country's national image.

In conjunction with the campaign's relaunch, Namibia commemorated World Clean-Up Day, with this year's theme being 'From clean plates to clean cities.' The Minister of Environment, Forestry and Tourism, Indileni Daniel, also spoke at the event, emphasizing the importance of renewing collective responsibility towards Namibia's surroundings. "Let us make cleanliness a culture and not a campaign. The relaunch of Clean-Up Namibia matters; it asks each of us to make cleanliness an everyday habit," Daniel stated.