Online Reporter
Mbulelo Mpofu
LEARNERS from Eveline Girls High School in Bulawayo have embarked on a clean-up project along Fifth Avenue in the Central Business District, a street often described as the dirtiest in Bulawayo due to the rampant dumping of vegetable waste by vendors.
The waste collected is being repurposed for use in an organic fertiliser project.
This initiative has sparked a positive shift in waste disposal methods, with the school stepping in to support the City of Bulawayo by donating metal and rubber bins through their Greencycle Project.
At the launch of the project, the school’s headmistress, Mrs Doris Ngwenya, said the initiative was driven by the desire to ensure a cleaner environment in Bulawayo’s CBD.
“The Greencycle Project is not just an initiative; it is a commitment to our community and our planet. As we all know, waste management is a pressing issue that affects us all. By focusing on biodegradable waste, we are taking a significant step towards creating a cleaner and healthier environment for us and future generations,” she said.
The project, spearheaded by 26 students and 10 teachers, targets the local community. The organic fertiliser produced will be sold to local farmers while some will be used by the school, with proceeds from sales reinvested into the school’s development.
Bulawayo Mayor, Senator David Coltart, congratulated the school for leading by example.
“I would like to commend the school’s leadership for their visionary approach and for setting an example for these young students. This project is especially meaningful as it aligns with the goals I had when elected Mayor of Bulawayo in 2023 — to clean up the city, both physically and in terms of governance. It’s a major task for a city that was once the cleanest in the country and has sadly lost that status.
“Litter remains a significant challenge, and this initiative is key to tackling that issue. I also extend my appreciation to Ward 1 Councillor, Josiah Mutangi, for being part of this important campaign to care for our city,” he said.
One of the recipients of the bins, Director of Willsgrove Farm Enterprise (Pvt) Ltd, Mr John Mutero, said the initiative was a welcome move as it helps traders to keep the market clean.
“I was completely caught off guard by this kind gesture. It’s true, this area has become an eyesore, and we are grateful for these bins, which will assist in proper waste disposal and support the school’s composting project,” he said.
Another bin recipient, vendor Qhubekani Ndebele, emphasised the importance of cleanliness for business.
“When this place is dirty, it’s difficult to sell our vegetables — it puts customers off. The ongoing issue with uncollected biodegradable waste creates a foul smell. This bin, which we believe will be regularly emptied, will definitely help us keep the area clean,” she said.
Greencycle Project patrons, Ms Gladmore Chadzamira Busumeni and Ms Mavis Vhiya, said the project is expected to officially commence within the next three months.
“In the meantime, we will ensure waste collection for our project at least four times a month. We plan to biodigest the waste to produce both solid and liquid manure, which we will use for our school’s agricultural projects.
“We also aim to work with local farmers to facilitate knowledge and skills exchange,” said Ms Busumeni.
Under the theme “Waste to Wealth”, the school is addressing the growing need for environmental conservation by placing a total of ten labelled metal bins at the market, designated specifically for biodegradable waste collection.
Recently, the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education announced Eveline High School’s selection as a Ciena Solutions Challenge Model School — a recognition that grants access to cutting-edge technology and professional development support from Ciena and Digital Promise.
The Ciena Solutions Challenge is a global initiative by Digital Promise and Ciena (NYSE: CIEN), inviting middle and high school students to design solutions addressing the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in their communities.
As a Model School, Eveline High will benefit from mentoring, professional development, and tools for digital fabrication, coding, robotics, and media production — all aimed at fostering creativity, innovation, and invention among students.
The selection of Eveline High is a testament to the school’s commitment to student-centred learning. The all-girls school previously received the Ciena Solutions Challenge Sustainability Award in both 2022 and 2023.
As part of the 2024-2026 cohort, Eveline High will join Mnarani Public Secondary School in Mwanza, Tanzania, and E.E. Dr Secundino Dominguez Filho in São Paulo, Brazil. These schools will collaborate with existing cohorts in Ottawa, Canada, and Atlanta, United States.
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