Online Reporter
By Dr Masimba Mavaza & Ilyana Sithole.
President Mnangagwa’s recent visit to Eastern Europe has ignited debate, largely fuelled by the presence in his team, of businessman and philanthropist Dr Dilesh Nguwaya, the executive chairman and chief executive officer of Geo-Pomona Waste Management.
Dr Nguwaya has in the past been victimised and arrested, but he came out clean. All allegations against him do not stick.
Do our elders not say: “it’s only a moving car which is chased by dogs”?
Dr Nguwaya is turning mountains and doing what nobody has ever dreamt of. He is collecting all the dirty dumped all over Harare and turning it into electricity. This has not only benefited him, but the whole country. In his tireless work, Dr Nguwaya has provided employment to dozens of Zimbabweans, including those who had spent their lives at the dump site. And for this effort, Dr Nguwaya has been vilified and demonised.
Dr Nguwaya has brought benefits of waste to energy.
Renewable Energy Source Waste-to-Energy (WtE) facilities generate electricity or heat from waste materials, providing a renewable energy source.
This brings about waste reduction. This processes reduces the amount of waste send to landfills, minimising environmental impacts like greenhouse gas emissions and leachate contamination.
Anyone who has been to Pomona before Dr Nguwaya’s waste to energy project will tell you about the overpowering stench, which now has been turned into an aroma. By generating clean energy from waste, facilities can reduce emissions from fossil fuels and landfills. Geo Pomona is contributing to energy security by diversifying the energy mix and reducing dependence on imported fuels.
The industry creates jobs in plant operation, maintenance and waste management. As it is gaining from strength to strength, it will eventually employ thousands of Zimbabweans.
Geo Pomona facilities can stimulate local economies through job creation, tax revenue and reduced waste management costs.
There are many additional benefits like reducing landfill space and preserving land for other uses.
High-temperature waste to energy processes can destroy pathogens and toxic substances, reducing environmental and health risks.
In its daily work, Geo Pomona has recovered some valuable resources like metals and recyclables from waste materials. Overall, waste-to-energy offers a promising solution for managing waste while generating clean energy and promoting sustainable development.
Critics have been quick to question the judgment of having Dr Nguwaya representing Zimbabwe on the international stage.
Presidential trips with business leaders are common in the whole world. When a president travels internationally with business leaders, it can serve several purposes. It creates economic diplomacy. Business leaders can facilitate economic discussions, negotiations and partnerships between countries, promoting trade and investment. This is not for their own benefit, but the whole country reaps economic development. The presence of businesspeople can help secure trade agreements, joint ventures and investment deals.
Business leaders can provide insights into new markets, industries and opportunities, helping to expand economic cooperation. The trip offered a chance for business leaders to network with counterparts, government officials and potential partners.
Business leaders can showcase their expertise, products or services, promoting their companies and industries. Nguwaya’s visit assists in job creation. New business deals and investments can lead to job creation and economic growth. Trade agreements and partnerships can increase exports, boosting the country’s economy. Economic cooperation can improve relations between countries, fostering a more positive diplomatic environment.
It must be pointed out trips abroad for business leaders have many benefits which include access to new markets. The trip provided opportunities to explore new markets, meet potential partners and identify business opportunities.
Overall, having business leaders accompany the President on international trips is a sure win-win for both countries and investors.
Dr Nguwaya’s Geo Pomona Waste Management and the government of Belarus inked a groundbreaking agreement. The deal holds out the possibility of a complete transformation of the country’s waste and water management systems in line with President Mnangagwa’s vision of a cleaner, more prosperous Zimbabwe.
The essence of the criticism is the recognised fact of Dr Nguwaya’s successful High Court case, on serious charges. While government spokesperson Nick Mangwana has maintained that Dr Nguwaya paid for his own flight, this has not pacified such critics as veteran journalist Rashweat Mukundu, who raises issues regarding the suitability of the Geo Pomona CEO as part of top-level diplomatic interaction. Mkundu should have done his research well. Zimbabwe cannot be sabotaged by journalists who criticise and abuse businesspeople.
However, the narrative takes a compelling turn with the unveiling of the MoU with Belarus. This agreement, spearheaded by Geo Pomona, signifies a tangible commitment to revolutionising how Zimbabwe handles its waste and water — critical components for public health and environmental sustainability. Dr Nguwaya himself has emphasized the strategic importance of this alliance in elevating Zimbabwe’s capabilities in these vital sectors.
This case brings a very relevant question: Can a person with a history of purported misconduct contribute to society in a positive way? The response, though complicated, points towards an understanding of rehabilitation, possible contributions, and the circumstances under which they are provided. Individuals get better and do better, and past errors cannot be the basis of their future contribution. Rehabilitation and self-awareness can allow someone to be a productive member of society. Furthermore, individuals may tap into their skills and knowledge, even those obtained under not so favourable conditions, to become a change agent. Under certain circumstances, past mistakes can shape perspectives or serve as lessons.
Only enemies of progress would choose to concentrate on past mistakes instead of the transformation of Pomona dumpsite.
The initiatives driven by Dr Nguwaya’s Geo Pomona offer a compelling case study. The company has shown willingness to improve waste management in Harare, and ideas to implement new sustainable technologies such as the waste-to-energy plant, indicate a possible capacity to deliver a tangible positive contribution to Zimbabwe’s environmental record. The cooperation with Belarus will bring international best practices and innovative technology into the national environmental management system, which can transform the problem of waste into an opportunity for resource recovery and provide cleaner sources of water.
Thus, as much as there is no reasonable ethical concerns surrounding Dr Nguwaya’s role in the Presidential delegation that need probing, the potential dividend of the cooperation he has negotiated for Zimbabwe’s environmental destiny cannot be discounted. It’s not a matter of one man here; it’s a matter of a possible paradigm shift in how Zimbabwe manages its environmental responsibility.
As Zimbabwe continues its policy of engagement and re-engagement, the unfolding story demands a nuanced perspective. While holding individuals accountable remains crucial, the potential for tangible progress in vital sectors like environmental management must also be considered. The coming months will be critical in observing how this partnership translates into real, on-the-ground improvements for a cleaner and healthier Zimbabwe.
The nation watches with a mixture of apprehension and hope, eager to see if this green gambit, forged amidst diplomatic turbulence, will ultimately yield a more sustainable future for all, regardless of the shadows of the past which is just a malicious endeavour by the enemies of progress.
