Bongani Ndlovu
Judith Phiri and Patrick Chitumba, Sunday News Reporters
HUNDREDS of residents in Bulawayo, alongside churches, civil groups, Government officials and schoolchildren, took part in the First Lady, Dr Auxillia Mnangagwa’s clean-up exercise at Mpopoma Park yesterday.
As the Environment Patron, the First Lady’s clean-up initiative aims to promote environmental cleanliness, waste management and community participation in creating a cleaner and healthier environment.
Bulawayo Provincial Affairs and Devolution Permanent Secretary Mr Paul Nyoni praised the First Lady’s effort, which attracted over 500 people to clean Mpopoma Park.
“This is a fantastic initiative that brought together churches, schools, the community, law enforcement agencies, as well as various Government ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs), to clean our environment. We chose this area because there are about seven or eight schools and more than eight churches in the surrounding neighbourhoods,” he said.
“People came out in their numbers, ranging between 500 and 600. We did a good job of cleaning and those from Mpopoma Home Industries (eSpamprekini) also joined us.”
He encouraged residents of Bulawayo and all those participating in the monthly National Clean-Up Campaign, held on the first Friday of every month, to work together to ensure the city is clean everywhere.
Mr Nyoni highlighted the health risks associated with dirty environments, including viruses, infections and respiratory and skin illnesses, which result from neglecting cleanliness.
“We are very pleased with the First Lady’s clean-up initiative and we have committed to supporting it and seeing it succeed,” he said.
Environmental Management Agency (EMA) Bulawayo provincial environmental manager Mrs Sithembisiwe Ndlovu, called on the residents and students to begin maintaining cleanliness from their homes and surroundings.
She urged all participants to also educate others who were not present at the clean-up, advocating for community-wide efforts to make the city cleaner.
Councillor Donaldson Mabuto of Ward 9, which covers Mpopoma and Mabuthweni suburbs, commended the First Lady’s initiative, describing it as a positive step towards making Bulawayo a cleaner city.
“When we receive guidance from our national leadership to go out and clean our cities, it makes us very proud. As the Ward 9 councillor, I am very grateful for this initiative, especially as it involves schoolchildren at a young age, instilling in them the importance of being future ambassadors of a clean environment,” he said.
Following the clean-up, Apostle Phumulani Khumalo from the Evangelical Fellowship of Zimbabwe praised the campaign. “Today, we are witnessing something powerful — churches, schools and communities coming together to promote cleanliness and environmental responsibility,” she said.
“Schools influence the minds of our children, while churches guide their moral and spiritual values. By leading in this programme, they set a strong example of service, discipline, unity and responsibility.”
She explained that learners are being taught that cleanliness is not only about appearance but also about protecting health and preserving the environment.
Apostle Khumalo added that participation in clean-up activities helps young people develop habits that will foster a cleaner, more responsible generation for the future.
“This campaign demonstrates that development begins at community level. When schools, churches, local leaders, and residents work together, positive change is achievable. Cleaner streets, markets, schools, parks and public spaces create healthier and safer communities for all.”
Meanwhile, a similar programme was held in Gweru, where environmental stewardship has been recognised as essential in ensuring communities add value to waste through recycling — a crucial effort as waste increasingly threatens the climate, tourism and public health.
Midlands Provincial Zero Waste Coordinator Mrs Mavis Seenza, who led proceedings, expressed the Midlands Province’s commitment to environmental sustainability.
“I commend all stakeholders present for taking time to participate in this noble initiative, which reflects our collective responsibility to maintain a clean, safe and healthy environment for current and future generations. This clean-up comes at a time when environmental stewardship is more important than ever. Improper waste disposal continues to threaten public health, biodiversity, tourism and socio-economic development. We cannot afford to be passive observers while our environment is under threat. We remain fully committed to environmental sustainability in line with the nation’s development goals,” she said.
Mrs Seenza acknowledged the support of national leadership behind the initiative.
“I especially wish to recognise and applaud the visionary leadership of the First Lady of Zimbabwe, Dr Auxillia Mnangagwa, for championing the Zero Waste Movement — an initiative aimed at changing mindsets and encouraging citizens to view waste as a resource that can be recovered, reused and recycled.”
She noted that the movement was already gaining momentum across the Midlands, with the Zero Waste Movement having been launched in Gweru, Chirumanzu, Gokwe South and Kwekwe.
Online Reporter