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Thupeyo Muleya, Beitbridge Bureau
MATABELELAND South Provincial Affairs and Devolution Minister Abedinico Ncube has implored local authorities and other key stakeholders to collaborate in pooling resources to enhance sustainable environmental management in their localities.
Matabeleland South Provincial Affairs and Devolution Minister Abedinico Ncube
He made the remarks in a speech read on his behalf by the director for economic development in his office, Mr Richmond Ncube during an event dubbed “Step Your Mind Cross Country ” held at Lutumba Business Centre in Beitbridge District.
Minister Ncube said besides creating a safe and clean environment, the partnerships will help integrate rural homes and small farmers directly into mainstream economic activities.
Beitbridge community leaders plant some of the 200 trees supplied by the forestry commission during the National Clean-up Day held at Lutumba Business Centre recently
He said activities such as promoting recycling, tree planting, and clean-ups are critical in transforming the communities’ mind-set on environmental management issues.
“It is important for local authorities, communities and other stakeholders in their areas to collaborate and embrace our environmental policies. This is not only meant to transform lives, but will also see many of them contributing to the growth of our national economy,” said Minister Ncube.
The event also coincided with the first national clean-up programme held at the business centre during which 200 trees were planted across the district.
The Step Your Mind Cross Country initiative involved the 945 km walkathon led by former Olympian and Paralympic champion, Mr Elliot Mujaji.
Other team members were environmental enthusiasts Engineer Sam Kundishora, Messrs Ben Bones and Phillip Bvekwa.
The quartet walked through part of the Trans-Africa Highway in the Zambezi to Limpopo (from Chirundu Border Post to Beitbridge Border Post) over a period of 34 days raising awareness on environmental management issues and promoting road safety along country’s road network.
Minister Ncube said the Step Your Mind Cross Country campaign is one of the many collective efforts that promote the commercialisation of rural homes while at the same time ensuring a clean and safe environment.
“Such an effort is commendable since it seeks to pilot and drive the integration of rural homes and smallholders’ farmers directly into mainstream economic activities. It would promote financial inclusion as well as turn rural communities into formal production units,” he said.
Minister Ncube said there are many opportunities which Zimbabweans can explore in terms of management of the environment and turning around their lives in line with Vision 2030.
Walkathon leader, Mr Mujaji said they decided to start the initiative to get more Zimbabweans to participate in saving the environment.
He said they received support from a number of players including ideas in all the areas they walked through.
“We have taken the first steps and we call upon Zimbabweans to embrace the idea which has a number of spin-offs from the recycling of waste, fruits trees planting and greening of communities, the high way and towns,” said Mr Mujaji.
“Along the way we plant a lot of trees, cleaned up towns and engaged motorists on the need to drive safely and save lives on the Pan African Highway (Beitbridge to Chirundu) and in general the country’s road network”.
Speaking during the same event, Beitbridge East legislator, Cde Albert Nguluvhe said it is critical for traditional leaders to play an active role in the management of the environment.
He said the rampant cutting down of trees for firewood in villages just outside Beitbridge town is an issue of concern that requires collective effort.
The Environment Management Agency (EMA) district head for Beitbridge Mrs Nompumelelo Chigwinya said they have partnered with other stakeholders to create community recycling clubs. –@tupeyo
Online Reporter