adminGilbert Munetsi Review Correspondent
As Industrial, agricultural and technological developments progress in astronomical proportions, it does not take a scientist to tell that as a result of man’s engaging in anthropogenic (human-induced) activities, there has been a great shift in the state of the earth. This is exhibited by the numerous droughts, unpredictable shifts in weather patterns, floods, cyclones and earthquakes that have left multitudes dead, homeless or famished.
Owing to the biblical origin of Man whom God made in his own image, gave dominion over the now troubled planet and has been responsible for its current state, it was only proper that the Church plays a part in the search for solutions – mitigatory or adaptive.
It is against this background that a cycle relay dubbed “We Have Faith Pan-African Cycling Campaign” was initiated by a coalition of civil organisations. These are ACT Alliance, We Have Faith, Pan-African Justice Alliance (PACJA) and Oxfam in Africa. The journey kicked off in Maputo on August 29, with a team of seven Mozambicans making the first leg of the nine-nation relay that will cover a distance of 6 500km.
They passed on the baton stick to their Batswana counterparts whose President, Seretse Ian Khama donated a bicycle to the cause.
Last Sunday, Zimbabwe took over the third leg of the relay at Plumtree border with a team from Flying Eagles Cycling Team comprising captain Thomas Classen (21), a career cyclist as well as Nqobani Gatsheni (20) and Alexander Welsh (18) who are both students, Knowledge Kupe (32), Busani Moyo (27) and 48-year-old Ralph Mthupa who works as a home-based care giver.
A ceremony in support of the six was held at Pick ‘n Pay Bulawayo and was officiated by, among others, the mayor of the metropolitan, His Worship Martin Moyo. On behalf of the local authority he assured his backing for the initiative saying Bulawayo was committed to pursuing policies that are attuned to environmental protection.
“As we append our signatures to these petitions, which all of you must also ensure to sign, we are committing to action and to calling on all leaders at all levels to do all they can to change our world, beginning with the domestic challenges of the low water table that we are faced with in this part of the country,” he said.
EMA provincial manager for Matabeleland Decent Ndlovu, noted there were adequate laws and policies to safeguard the environment and to embrace mitigation and adaptation efforts but what is now needed is deliberate effort to reduce personal carbon footprints by individuals.
“Please ensure your cars are serviced. Cycling is also indeed a clean transportation mode that everyone must start to think about seriously,” he said. From Bulawayo, the cyclists pass through Shangani and Gweru, and are expected to rest in the capital, Harare, where a media conference is expected to be held next Tuesday.
Organisers said there will be a tree planting ceremony at Chizungu Primary School in Epworth, after which the caravan proceeds to Kariba to complete the 456km Zimbabwean leg. The Zambians will take over from there. Over the 70-day duration of the campaign, petitions will be signed and trees planted in identified cities and towns in Mozambique, South Africa, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Zambia, Malawi, Uganda, Tanzania and ultimately Kenya.
Nairobi, the capital of Kenya is the final destination of the relay. It was in this Eastern African country’s capital that back in 2006, a decision was made that the Least Developed Countries (LDCs) need to communicate and disseminate their proposed programmes to address adaptation needs.
Bishop Ishmael Mukuwanda, the president of the Zimbabwe Council of Churches who are the hosts of the caravan in the country, maintains that although the Church has not been taking a leading role in safeguarding the environment, its activities have traditionally been limited to advocacy.
“It is unfortunate that the general thinking is that the Church is confined to matters that are of a spiritual nature and yet even the Bible defines and gives us roles that challenge us to safeguard the environment and climate,” said the Bishop who is also the ambassador of the campaign.
Quoting the book of Ezekiel, he says: “And by the river and bank thereof, on this side and on that side, shall grow all trees for meat, whose leaf shall not fade, neither shall the fruit thereof be consumed: it shall bring forth new fruit according to his months, because theirs waters they issued out of the sanctuary: and the fruit thereof shall be for meat, and the leaf thereof for medicine.” (Ezekiel 47 v12).
The church, he argues, should therefore be at the forefront because stewardship is a key part of man’s existence on earth. Bishop Mukuwanda said recently at Martyr Bernard Mizeki’s commemorations this year, 12 bishops representing different churches each planted a tree to signify the important role of the church in leading in afforestation and climate change.
“So the long and short of it is that much as our voice as the Church has been somewhat subtle, we have a prominent challenge to crusade for practices that arrest climate change challenges currently being faced by the world and we need to be there in the forefront of activities which include such gatherings as the COPs spreading the gospel of good practices that bring order to nature because if we do not do that, then we risk being the end losers.
“Deforestation, destruction of wetlands and other destructive tendencies decimate life. Even when you read the book of Job, the dos and don’ts of mining are clearly spelt out,” he said.
In two months’ time (November-December) Paris, France, hosts the 21st session of the Conference of Parties (COP21). This is the supreme decision-making body which decides on ways by which to tackle this phenomenon whose consequences have threatened to ravage fauna and flora at a rate that shows signs of superseding even the HIV and Aids pandemic.
His sentiments were echoed by the Zimbabwe Climate Change Organisation (ZICCO) director, Simon Steven, who emphasised the vitality of Zimbabwe and Africa in general to start working on environmental policies which were meaningful and inclusive.
“We have a challenge to coin something that can change the situation and also transform people’s lives. The good of it is that currently, Zimbabwe is finalising a policy on climate change and it is imperative that in it we bring forth our Intended National Determined Contributions (INDCs),” he said.
The Regional Coordinator for the We Have Faith Campaign, Abraham Chikasa, said the nine-nation trek is about the ties that bind the countries beyond culture and history. “When a drought or flood affects one country, for instance, other countries suffer as well because we are interdependent in many areas including sharing rivers for water sources and energy.
“Since we share a common climate problem, we should think of a common solution and future hence our demand for a fair, ambitious and legally binding agreement and a second commitment period for Kyoto Protocol to ensure the survival of coming generations.”
Online Reporter