Matabeleland-North women launch Global Zero Waste Management Movement

WOMEN from across Matabeleland North have taken bold measures to protect the environment following the launch of a provincial Global Zero Waste Management Movement to implement sustainable waste management practices.

The Environmental Management Agency (EMA) co-ordinated the launch which was attended by more than 300 people in Bubi District recently.

Those who attended were mostly women comprising female councillors, spouses of traditional leaders, female pastors and ordinary citizens.

Matabeleland North Provincial Affairs and Devolution Minister, Cde Richard Moyo’s wife, Mrs Siphilanzima Moyo was the guest of honour at the event, a brain-child of global First Ladies including Dr Auxilia Mnangagwa, who is the environment patron in Zimbabwe.

The provincial launch was at Badala Business Centre in Inyathi following a national launch recently.

Mining companies and the business community supported the programme with donations that included 40 bins that were handed over to Bubi Rural District Council for waste management.

In her remarks, Mrs Moyo encouraged women to stand up and drive the agenda of cleanliness at home, workplace, church and the community.
She paid tribute to the First Lady Dr Mnangagwa for working tirelessly to ensure that Zimbabwe is clean.

“Zero Waste Movement is a women’s agenda as it was started by global First Ladies and our own Amai, Dr Auxillia Mnangagwa and then launched here in Zimbabwe. Allow me to borrow from the saying, which reads “Umuzi ngumama”.

“To that end the First Lady is calling upon all spouses of Government officials, legislators, traditional leaders, faith-based organisations, community-based organisations and local leaders to play a pro-active role in the Zero Waste Movement Agenda at all levels,” said Mrs Moyo.

She encouraged men and the youth to support the vision for the attainment of a clean environment in the province and country at large.

“It’s important for all of us to adopt a culture of sorting waste at source and selling the waste to those that are into recycling. “The waste can then be used to make beautiful artefacts that can be sold to generate income,” said Mrs Moyo.

She said local authorities should establish “Waste Buy Back Centres” to bring convenience and improve waste materials recovery by waste pickers or collectors, grow the recycling industry and ultimately reduce residual waste in the environment.

“This is in line with the Global Zero Waste Movement that seeks to promote litter-free environments, waste separation and recovery of materials for recycling, reuse, re-purposing and redesigning. By embracing the principles of the Zero Waste Movement, communities can minimise carbon footprint and preserve natural resources,” said Mrs Moyo.

EMA Matabeleland North provincial manager, Mrs Chipo Mpofu-Zuze, said the Global Zero Waste Movement Goodwill Declaration is an international initiative by 30 Global First Ladies aimed at the promotion and implementing sustainable waste management practices.

The initiative came after world First Ladies pledged to support initiatives, campaigns, programmes, projects and activities that promote zero waste in their respective countries thereby encouraging responsible consumption and waste production.

This was after they met on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly that was held in New York in September 2023 which was attended by the First Lady Dr Auxillia Mnangagwa.

Mrs Mpofu-Zuze said the initiative compels local authorities, civil society, private sector, media and all other stakeholders to play a pivotal role in the attainment of the desired zero waste goal by aligning strategies, approaches and programmes to help accelerate a global transition to circular economy and to reduce the adverse impact of poor solid waste management.

“The Zero Waste Movement Goodwill activities include any initiatives aimed at fostering sound solid waste management practices and subsequently minimise and prevent waste generation,” she said.

The campaign includes accelerated awareness on good waste management practices, establishment of waste transfer stations in cities, towns, growth points and business centres, bin installations at strategic places, installation of cages for waste separation at institutions and strategic places, collaboration with higher learning institutions for home-grown solutions to waste management, training communities, establishment of waste management committees, strengthening law enforcement on littering and mobilising citizens to participate in line with the Presidential Declaration on Clean-ups. — @ncubeleon