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Fungai Lupande
Mash Central Bureau
People in Mazowe came out in large numbers to support and take part in a massive clean-up campaign and tree planting along the Harare-Mt Darwin Road spearheaded by the Environment Management Agency (EMA).
Running along with the theme for this year’s Independence Day celebrations EMA is rallying youths in the clean-up campaigns, to conscientise and instil a culture of cleanliness.
This year’s theme is: “Nyika inovakwa nevene vayo/ Ilizwe lakhiwa ngabanikazi balo”.
Provincial environmental education and publicity officer Mr Maxwell Mupotsa said in keeping with the Independence Day celebrations’ theme, the environment is maintained and kept clean by its people.
Speaking in Mazowe yesterday, Mr Mupotsa said the clearing of the highway has laid bare a lot of litter and they want to ensure that the environment and highway are clean. “As visitors coming to Mashonaland Central, we want to welcome them with a clean environment. A huge number of youths have joined a walkathon which started from the Mazowe tollgate into the province,” he said.
“The walkers will rest at Mazowe Hotel and plant trees at Mazowe Mine today before proceeding to Bindura where they will plant trees at Bindura Primary School.
“When they reach Mt Darwin, they will be a tree planting ceremony.
“We are working with the Forestry Commission. Local authorities have come on board and released their refuse compactors.”
About 100 anti-litter monitors have been trained to raise awareness and ensure zero tolerance for litter at the independent venue.
Mr Mupotsa said Mashonaland Central is a clean province and as a build-up to Independence Day, clean-up campaigns have started during the Easter holidays.
Churches came on board to support the protection of the environment.
Zanu PF Secretary for Environment and Tourism Cde Patrick Dutiro said the culture of cleaning and protecting the environment was started by President Mnangagwa.
“We want to clean the highway so that our visitors travel in a clean environment. We are raising awareness to travellers to desist from throwing litter through vehicle windows,” he said.
“We urge people to keep their litter until they find a bin. Youths have come to take part as they celebrate 43 years of Independence. We have received overwhelming support from vendors and ranks marshals.”
More than 200 people from Mazowe also joined the clean-up as communities come forward to take part in the preparations for Independence Day celebrations.
Shamva, Mazowe RDCs and Bindura Municipality are rallying behind Mt Darwin, chosen for the national ceremony this year, in ensuring adequate cleaning of the environment.
He urged Zimbabweans to join Mashonaland Central in celebrating this year’s Independence Day celebrations.
Ms Sandra Mapiro said she is happy to take part in the clean-up campaign as a sign of solidarity with preparation for the big day.
“As youths, we dedicate our support to the President and work with the province for a successful event. We invite and welcome all Zimbabweans to Mashonaland Central so that we celebrate together.”
Meanwhile, the Independence Flame arrived in Bindura on Thursday evening and the runners toured Tendai Hall, Chipadze with the flame.
They left for Madziwa en route to Mt Darwin.
Online Reporter