adminChenjerai Munouya in Beitbridge
THE Beitbridge Town Council in conjunction with the Environmental Management Agency (EMA) will hold an anti-littering road run in the border town on July 30. The 20KM race will be held under the theme “Running against Litter”. There will also be a 10KM race that will start at Chicago along the Masvingo road and end at Border Service Station.
Beitbridge Town secretary Loud Ramakgapola said the race would start at Lutumba Business Centre along the Beitbridge-Masvingo road and end at Border Service Station in the central business district. He said the move was aimed at raising awareness on littering around the town and on major highways leading to Bulawayo and Harare.
“We’re worried about the level of littering around town and hence we’ve to bring in stakeholders from across the town to deal with this problem. The idea is to make the race an annual event to conscientise people on the effects of littering,” said Ramakgapola.
“Being the preface to the country, it’s important that we present a clean environment and a good picture to visitors passing through the town to and from South Africa.” He said those interested in taking part in the race should contact the Beitbridge Town Council.
Ramakgapola said they would also rope in secondary school pupils in the race. “Those that can’t run will start cleaning the road from the Masvingo turn off up to the finishing point. We’ve been working with EMA in several clean up campaigns in the town and distributing dust bins with a view to minimising littering.”
EMA district head for Beitbridge Nompumelelo Chigwinya said: “We want to ensure that there is a comprehensive participatory strategy in waste management and that there is improved funding for the project. We’re worried about the increase in illegal dumpsites in town and we believe this marathon will go a long way in raising awareness on the effects of such malpractices.”
derick.khumalo