Gwanda to relocate notorious dumpsite

Marvelous Moyo Gwanda Correspondent
THE Minister of State for Provincial Affairs in Matabeleland South, Abedinico Ncube, has challenged youths to take a leading role in preserving the country’s natural resources and keeping the environment clean.
Speaking during the provincial Africa Environment Day commemorations held at Joshua Mqabuko Nkomo Polytechnic in Gwanda Town on Friday, Ncube said the youth should be at the forefront of curbing pollution.

“The commemoration of the Africa Environment Day calls for the greater participation of youths in the sustainable use of the environment.

“I therefore take this opportunity to urge schools and institutions of higher learning to cultivate the culture of environmental responsibility through their curriculum and extra-curricular activities,” said Cde Ncube.

Africa Environment Day is an annual event held in March to raise public awareness on environmental challenges facing the continent.

The commemorations are aimed at increasing awareness on protection, preservation and sustainable use of natural resources.

This year’s event ran under the theme “Youth – Healing the Earth – Education, Environment and Empowerment.”

Ncube said 60 percent of the country’s population were youths and called on schools and colleges to equip the learners with knowledge on the importance of keeping the environment clean and conservation of natural resources.

“If youths are to be successful in protecting our earth, institutions of learning should be at the forefront in imparting environmental education to their students,” he said.

The Environmental Management Agency (EMA) had organised the event that coincided with a cleanup exercise in different parts of Gwanda Town.

There have been concerns over pollution in Gwanda Town with uncollected garbage lying along main roads especially along the Bulawayo-Beitbridge highway.

EMA provincial environmental planning and monitoring officer, Amkela Sidange, said everyone in Gwanda must be involved in cleaning the environment.

JMN Polytechnic principal Dr Ngoni Moyo complained about the location of the dump site close to the institution.

The municipality of Gwanda has since identified a new dumpsite and is carrying out environmental impact assessment.