7 years on, Zim still heeds President’s call to clean up

Trust Freddy-Herald Correspondent

SEVEN years after President Mnangagwa’s declaration, the National Environment Clean-up Day initiative, continues to thrive.

Yesterday, the Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission (ZACC) joined three other independent commissions in a clean-up campaign.

The initiative stems from the President’s declaration made on December 5, 2018, designating the first Friday of every month as National Environment Cleaning Day.

Organisations that participated included the Zimbabwe Media Commission, Zimbabwe Gender Commission, and the Zimbabwe Human Rights Commission.

ZACC chairperson Mr Michael Reza said the clean-up campaign was important.

“This is a follow-up to what His Excellency the President, Dr Emmerson Dambudzo Mnangagwa, said, that the first Friday of every month is Clean Up Day. Moreover, it is often said that cleanliness is next to godliness.

“Therefore, it is essential that we maintain cleanliness in our surroundings. We must ensure that our workplaces and public areas are clean and well-maintained.”

Zimbabwe Media Commission chairperson Professor Ruby Magosvongwe weighed in saying: “This is just an extension of the recognition of the call by His Excellency the President. I hope that, coming from where we are, each one of us has already cleaned up their offices, their work environment, and is also abstaining from contaminating the beauty within them, because what is happening outside may not necessarily be reflective of what’s going on inside.”

The clean up began at a fuel station on Sam Nujoma Street, with the team moving to Herbert Chitepo Avenue, where they thoroughly cleaned the area surrounding Harare Gardens and the ZACC offices.

President Mnangagwa launched the national clean-up programme in December 2018, encouraging all citizens to clean their environment between 8am and 10am on the first Friday of every month.

Everyone is invited to participate in cleaning their communities on this day, from individuals to businesses and organisations.