Online Reporter
Liberty Dube
Entertainment Correspondent
THE fight against climate change is finding an unexpected, but powerful ally in Mutare — art.
On a bright, purposeful Wednesday, young artistes in Mutare gathered to use their talents, not just for expression, but for environmental action.
The tree-planting and clean-up campaign, held under the theme: “A creative fusion of visual art, music and poetry – driving positive change and initiating dialogue through community engagement and collaborations for a cleaner, greener earth,” brought together performers, environmentalists and community leaders to raise awareness about global warming.
Organised as part of the 4.29 Green Earth Action Day, a flagship initiative of Green Earth Action Foundation, by MutARE Tales Arts Association, the event showed how local voices can contribute to global conversations on sustainability.
The initiative, aligned with United Nations values and the Sustainable Development Goals, seeks to promote environmental protection while building a global network of sustainability champions.
Through workshops, MutARE Tales has created space for youths to explore talents in dance, poetry, music, visual arts, fashion and design.
Speaking at the official event at Moffat Hall, project manager, Tawanda Ndlovu, said: “We believe art is not just for entertainment. In the face of climate change and environmental sustainability, art becomes the language that transforms what may sound technical into something relatable, something simple, something that makes sense. Through performances and creative expression, the artistes translated global warming into everyday realities — protecting rivers, preserving forests and safeguarding the environment for future generations. Poetry recitals carried messages of urgency and hope, while music and dance drew crowds into a shared emotional experience. Through storytelling, song, visual arts and performances, we turn global warming into a story about protecting our rivers, our forests, our environment, and about our hope for a future in which our children can thrive.”
The event was not just about raising awareness — it was about action. Participants took part in clean-up campaigns and tree-planting, demonstrating that environmental advocacy goes beyond words.
“What we are doing today — the clean-up, the tree-planting — is being showcased internationally. We are putting Zimbabwe on the map, we are putting Mutare on the map, and most importantly, we are highlighting the young, brilliant artists who have worked hard to contribute to the success of this day.
“In Mutare, art is doing more than entertaining. It is educating, inspiring and mobilising communities towards a shared vision of a sustainable future,” she said.
For many of the young participants, the event was an opportunity to connect creativity with purpose.
Art became a bridge between knowledge and action, sparking conversations that might otherwise feel distant or abstract.
Looking ahead, MutARE Tales is already planning its next initiative, which will focus on recycling and the creative reuse of waste materials.
The aim is to educate communities and shift mindsets around waste, encouraging people to see value in what is often discarded.
The idea, inspired in part by lessons from environmental groups such as Environmental Buddies Zimbabwe, is to show that not everything labelled as waste is useless.
Through art, discarded materials can be transformed into meaningful creations, reinforcing the message of sustainability.
Mutare District Development Coordinator, Tendai Kapenzi, underscored the importance of environmental protection as a national responsibility.
“Protecting the environment is, not merely a policy choice or development goal, but a constitutional obligation and national duty that citizens should embrace with pride,” he said.
Kapenzi commended MutARE Tales for its innovative approach, noting how the fusion of art and advocacy is helping to translate global environmental concerns into local action.
“In the spirit of leaving no one behind, we recognise that youths are, not just beneficiaries, but primary architects of the country’s success. Empowering them requires more than policy — it requires giving them a voice. By combining creative disciplines with community engagement, the initiative is building a culture of sustainability that is both inclusive and impactful. When art meets advocacy, it becomes a powerful force for driving the positive change we seek for a cleaner, greener Mutare,” added Kapenzi.
Ends
