by Anesu Pedzisayi
The national clean-up campaign that was recently launched by President Emmerson Mnangagwa, marks a significant step in setting the nation on a firm footing towards having clean towns and safe environments, in line with Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) number 11, which is to “make cities and human settlements inclusive, safe resilient and sustainable.”
President Mnangagwa signed a declaration to the effect that the first Friday of each calendar month was declared the National Environment Cleaning Day. The clean-up campaign, themed, “Zero tolerance to litter: my environment, my pride,” will be carried out across the country every month, ensuring that the country has sustainable environment management and waste disposal systems.
The Government of Zimbabwe is signatory to the 2016 SDGs and the declaration made by the President marks a positive note that Government is commitment towards providing clean, habitable and safe environments for citizens to live in.
According to the United Nations SDG 2018 report, in 2016, 91 per cent of the urban population worldwide were breathing air that did not meet the World Health Organization air quality guidelines and standards. More than half of the urban population were exposed to air pollution levels at least 2.5 times higher than that of safety standard. In 2016, an estimated 4.2 million people died as a result of high levels of ambient air pollution.
Back home, Zimbabwe is no exception to these standards, thus the need to look into waste management and upholding clean environments. The country has been affected by dirty environment that has been seen through the recurrence of water borne diseases including cholera and typhoid. Recently, the country realised over 50 deaths all attributed to contaminated water mostly from borehole sources. Major towns, especially Harare, have been battling with challenges in refuse collection and provision of safe drinking water, which impacted on the health of citizens.
President Mnangagwa spoke of the responsibility of every Zimbabwean in taking care of the environment and making sure that there is proper management of our environment. Personal hygiene contributes greatly to keeping clean environments and it begins with practicing proper waste disposal habits. This would then be complemented by efficient service delivery from city fathers, where refuse is collected timeously and is rightly disposed at designated sites.
It would be commendable to have schools and institutions of higher learning where students take up the challenge to come up with recycling and waste management initiatives that are advanced, easily manageable and environment friendly. To that end, Government could fund school clubs and University hubs that develop projects that effectively manage waste recycling.
In the same manner, town councils could also identify and sponsor similar initiatives from communal level so that these projects are suitable to different communal needs and provisions. Communal uptake would also enable communities to take personal responsibility over their environment, making it easy to effect desirable change.
Such projects would enable the country to cultivate generations that know about and uphold environment friendly projects. This would also contribute towards employment creation in various aspects, including building machinery that deals with waste disposal as well as recycling initiatives.
As the President rightfully said, it is everyone’s responsibility to participate in keeping the environment clean. Zimbabwe could also learn from some of the cleanest towns in Africa, including Windhoek in Namibia and Kigali, Rwanda. The Law should also implement stiffer penalties to individuals and companies that are found polluting the environment. Companies should adopt recyclable material so that the use of plastic is reduced and eventually eliminated.
Clean environments will contribute towards permanently ending diseases such as cholera, which continuously recur affecting citizens. During the rainy season, most roads are affected by flooding due to clogged drainages from litter. Less litter on the streets would allow for free flow of drainage systems. Overally, clean environment also boosts towards a healthy eco-system that feeds into a healthy environment.
At the end of it all, Zimbabwe is everyone’s home that all should take part in looking after. Consistency, dedication and collective effort will bring back again the beauty in Zimbabwe’s streets. A safe and clean environment will also contribute towards the building of a healthy nation.
