Anesu Pedzisayi
The national clean-up campaign, which was launched in December 2018 by His Excellency, President Emmerson Mnangagwa, has been one of the noblest causes towards protecting the environment and making sure that Zimbabwe has sustainable environment management and waste disposal systems.
In showing commitment to this cause, President Mnangagwa has been leading from the front, participating every first Friday of the month, in the clean-up campaign in one city after the other. Support has also come through from the private sector, where stakeholders, corporates, civil societies and religious organisations, have been religiously taking part in the clean-up exercises.
In the same vein, Harare City Municipality aims to attain a World class city status by 2030. During the last clean-up exercise, President Mnangagwa led the process in Chitungwiza. MDC Chitungwiza Mayor, Lovemore Maiko, acknowledged and presented to the President, the challenges his Municipality was facing, especially of water supply. He also took up the offer from the President to approach his office so that the concerns would be addressed.
The clean-up campaign is not only centred on removing litter from the streets. It also encompasses efficient service delivery, water supply, well-functioning sewer systems that all contribute to the environment being habitable, clean and disease free. The refurbishment and renovation being done at Matapi Flats in Mbare also show Government’s commitment towards delivering safe, healthy, clean and habitable homes for its citizens.
To note and of grave concern is that water supply challenges have not only been affecting Chitungwiza. Recently, Harare residents have been up in arms with Harare City Council for failing to deliver on the above mentioned services. And this has been of concern also in other towns like Chegutu, Gweru and Kadoma.
Corruption, gross mismanagement of funds, incompetence, amongst other mishaps, have been rampant in most MDC led councils, leading to failure to fulfil their mandate on efficient service delivery. Most residents, who have been honouring their pledge and paying their bills, have felt cheated by these councils as they expect and demand better services.
The mandate to attain World class status would require that Councils be more vigorous and consistent in their approach. MDC led Councils should take a cue from President Mnangagwa and lead from the front. The participation of different stakeholders is proof that there are players who are willing to come on board and make Zimbabwe’s cities beautiful again. It would be a starting point for Councils to enter into partnerships with these stakeholders and encourage them to adopt various facilities so that the programme remain sustainable and viable.
These partnerships could come through from simple but critical things like the provision of marked litter bins, where plastic, paper, empty bottle containers are separated. This would mean that recycling of waste is easily managed. These litter bins should be found in all town corners, schools, hospitals, recreational parks, bus stops, buildings, and so forth, so that there is no room for careless littering. In the same vain, partnerships should be forged that recycling plants are built locally. More jobs would be created, litter management would also be home-grown, efficient and cheaper.
In countries like Rwanda and Namibia, there are hefty penalties for those found littering and this should also be adopted, locally. MDC-led councils should not shy away from participating in positive engagements with Government Ministries so as to have definite policies that encourage clean cities statuses. This also requires working with the Ministry of Tourism and institutions like the Environment Management Agency (EMA).
Zimbabwe is a growing tourist destination in Africa and the World at large. Clean towns and cities would also contribute in attracting more visitors, as well as investors.
The culture of cleanliness is however something that has to be consistently and constantly monitored. It is also everyone’s responsibility to make sure that their own personal environments at work, home and schools are kept clean. Councils may do so much in providing services and other requirements, but the participation of every individual is crucial. Like President Mnangagwa said, “we must all do our bit to keep Zimbabwe clean and tidy, hygienic and healthy. It’s the responsibility of all of us.”
