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Hadassah T Makamure
NOWADAYS, people are increasingly seeing the need to protect and preserve the environment.
As inhabitants of the earth, we must work together to save the environment.
President Mnangagwa is on record saying: “Nyika inovakwa nevene vayo” (A nation is built by its citizens). Likewise, the environment should be conserved by those who dwell on it. It is everyone’s responsibility to protect it.
The quality of our life depends on the condition of the environment around us.
The way we use natural resources has an impact on the environment.
Environmental abuse has been a hot topic across the globe. Rapid population growth and resultant human activities have been identified as major contributors to environmental degradation.
Humans cut down trees to make way for agriculture. They also destroy the ozone layer through greenhouse gas emissions, including carbon dioxide.
This is a cause for concern. If nothing is done, illness, hunger and flooding will cause problems for us. Therefore, it is our responsibility to act fast and lower these harmful gaseous emissions.
Every individual needs to play a role to avert the current trend. We should say “No!” to plastics and, instead, resort to the use of eco-friendly substitutes like paper and fabric bags.
Awareness programmes should be organised to encourage citizens to use public transport, plant trees and avoid littering. The three Rs — reduce, reuse and recycle — can be adopted to minimise land, water and air pollution.
It is against this background that the Environmental Management Club at Cornerstone Executive College recently organised a massive clean-up and awareness campaign in the Marondera central business district.
We scheduled the clean-up campaign for July 7 so that it would coincide with the national clean-up day that takes place on the first Friday of every month.
On the day, the entire school joined other participants in a campaign that included personnel from the Municipality of Marondera; Nyaradzo Funeral Services; OK Zimbabwe; Environmental Management Agency; the Ministry of Women Affairs, Community, Small and Medium Enterprises Development; and the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education.
Also present were 16 teachers from our school.
The main aim of the exercise was to spruce up our town.
After the work, which lasted for about one-and-a-half hours, we all gathered at the bus terminus to address Marondera residents on the need to keep our town clean. Afterwards, our club donated four metal bins to the municipality.
This was indeed a day to cherish.
Time and resources permitting, we intend to make this initiative a regular undertaking at our school.
Our efforts will perhaps go a long way in setting the pace for maintaining clean cities in Zimbabwe and beyond.
Hadassah Tinevimbo Makamure is the chairperson of Cornerstone Executive College Environmental Management Club and an Upper Sixth learner.
Online Reporter