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Herald Reporter
Rural communities have been urged to take the lead in sprucing up their areas and ensure they live in clean environments to reduce disease outbreaks.
It is in this context that First Lady Auxillia Mnangagwa yesterday took the national clean-up campaign to Kasimhure Business Centre in Karoi, Mashonaland West province, as a way of encouraging cleanliness in comnunal areas.
The clean-up campaign was launched by President Mnangagwa in 2018.
Kasimhure Business Centre is where most activities in the area, including vending, gold buying, retailing and transport, among others, are conducted.
Farmers from Nyamahokwe, Nyamapipi and Pote villages, the mining communities, travellers and transport operators plying the Harare- Karoi-Kariba routes also converge at the centre and in the process generate waste.
Amai Mnangagwa led the cleaning at the centre and the areas surrounding the retail outlets before addressing the community on the importance of practising good hygiene, responsible waste disposal and benefits that can be accrued from waste separation and recycling.
The Hurungwe community, which turned out in large numbers, applauded Amai Mnangagwa for promoting environmental cleanliness and good social behaviour.
Mr Judah Bango of Nyamapipi Village said Kasimhure Business Centre was the ideal place for the clean-up campaign.
“We welcome the First Lady and her teachings. This place is a hive of activities and people need to change their behaviour and become responsible when it comes to waste management. Hygiene goes a long way in preventing outbreaks of diseases,” he said.
Mrs Lilian Mafauchirumwa of Travels Farm said it was a good idea that the First Lady was not only teaching about cleanliness but also promoting unity and harmony among and within families.
“She is promoting love and peace within families especially among in-laws. This will go a long way in reducing domestic violence,” she said.
In her address to the Hurungwe community, the First Lady said it was important that all communities are conscientised about the importance of cleanliness and sustainable waste management so as to maintain a clean, safe and healthy environment.
She encouraged the imparting of good waste management practices to the young ones so they grow as responsible citizens with knowledge of how to maintain the environment.
She also emphasised the importance of self-regulation to promote responsible handling of litter and looking after the environment in which people operate, especially retailers and artisanal miners.
“I urge business people and artisanal miners to be responsible and promote hygiene at their workplaces.
“While artisanal mining is important as a source of livelihood those in the business should be responsible and prevent land degradation. We should reclaim these lands so they can continue to be productive. Let us not leave the shafts open as they pose danger to the people, livestock and the community.
“We are in the decade of action which requires practical solutions to challenges that we are facing,” she said.
Amai Mnangagwa encouraged the rural communities to be united especially when spearheading their projects and developmental programmes.
“Solid waste management requires collective effort and the role of households in waste management cannot be ignored as they form the basis for a successful integrated waste management system. I implore on united action on waste management at neighbourhood level. This is done through collecting waste from households and corporates to a waste collection point. We should turn trash into cash,” she said.
“As a mother I want you to be united. I urge you to desist from violence. The issue of machete-wielding gangs terrorising people should end. Let us live in a peaceful way as we look after our environment,” she said.
The First Lady expressed concern over child marriages and urged chiefs to discourage the practice which was destroying the life of the girl child.
She encouraged chiefs to assist in the restoration of good cultural practices by promoting the rights of children, especially the girl child.
Elderly people were encouraged to play a role in educating the young ones on traditional values and customs to improve the well-being of the nation.
Amai Mnangagwa applauded the Hurungwe community for turning out in large numbers for the clean- up and said she was encouraged by the participation of individuals and corporates of different backgrounds since the inception of the programme.
Mashonaland West Minister of State Mary Mliswa-Chikoka said ensuring a clean environment and responsible disposal of waste was in line with the national Vision 2030 of attaining a middle income economy.
“ The First Lady has shown us that clean-up is not only about urban areas but all places including communal areas.
“In Mashonaland West we have started encouraging waste separation and recycling so people can earn an income and improve their livelihoods,” she said.
Hurungwe East Member of Parliament Cde Ngoni Chingoka expressed gratitude to the First Lady for assisting vulnerable communities and efforts in fighting child marriages.
“ We should also take up the teachings from Amai so we become a peaceful community,” he said.
Online Reporter