adminFreedom Mutanda
A SURPRISING twist of fate will leave Chipangayi a semi arid area in the coming years or decades if the brick-moulding syndicate is allowed to hold sway. It has become big business in the area as a cabal of ‘‘expert’’ brick moulders take soil from far afield to prepare bricks for the fast-growing Chipangayi Rural Service Centre.
Chipangayi River bleeds as profit-makers make bricks willy-nilly in the proximity. While Geography teachers find ready-made teaching aids and site visits, the environment takes a battering.
The brick-makers say that in this environment of unemployment there is need for them to be vigilant and work for themselves just as the ZIM-ASSET blueprint stipulates on value addition.
“You want us to starve? No, we will never allow that to happen. We have abundant red soil which makes very good farm bricks. EMA must empathise with us. We are sons and daughters of the soil and we need to benefit as well.”
Shame Sithole, one of the prominent brick moulders with high cheek bones, enthused but one could note a tinge of irritation in his voice.
People just dig for soil anywhere and anyhow without due regard to the environmental degradation that ensues. Moreover, the making of farm bricks is done very close to the river with the result that Chipangayi River gets silted. Our children may never enjoy the beauty of a flowing river in future.
To have money from bricks or not, is not the question. On one hand, the syndicate helps the community economically while the environment suffers on the other. What is the better alternative?
Phibeon Machuwaire, the ward councillor, is dismayed by the apparent non-compliance with council and EMA by-laws. He urges residents to obey environmental regulations for sustainable development.
“As the councillor of this area, I urge all people to observe EMA regulations for the future of the environment to remain safe.”
On the way from Mutare just before we reach Madziro business centre there is a site where bricks are moulded; perhaps, that could be the way to go for Chipangayi. People look for a special place where they can undertake their brick-moulding ventures without tampering with the environment.
With the current liquidity crunch, it appears cruel to stop people from earning a ‘‘decent’’ living. They have a thousand and one reasons why they destroy the environment.
In a few weeks’ time the tree-planting day will come and it will pass without incident. No one wants to be associated with rejuvenation of life while quickly using the knife and axe for destructive purposes.
Now is the time to value the planting of trees as espoused by policies that have been in place since we obtained our independence 34 years ago.
Chipangayi, which used to be blanketed by some trees, is slowly losing its lustre and scenic view, thanks to the indiscriminate cutting down of trees for brick-making purposes.
It remains to be seen whether a special place will be designated to allow the brick-moulding syndicate to make bricks far from the madding crowd. Only time will tell.
Online Reporter