Gibson Mhaka [email protected]
NETONE has stepped up its nationwide environmental awareness and clean-up initiatives in support of First Lady Dr Auxillia Mnangagwa’s vision of cleaner, healthier and smarter communities, urging Zimbabweans to make cleanliness an everyday responsibility.
The telecommunications company is expanding its National Clean-Up Campaign activities across the country, targeting communities in Chinhoyi, Bindura, Harare Central Business District, Chitungwiza, Harare North, Bulawayo, Zvishavane, Mutare and Masvingo.
The initiative seeks to promote responsible waste management, environmental protection and behavioural change, in line with the First Lady’s advocacy for communities that reflect the values of dignity, discipline and Ubuntu/Unhu.
NetOne said the campaign was not merely about collecting litter but encouraging citizens to develop a lasting culture of cleanliness by taking responsibility for their immediate surroundings.
The company is encouraging members of the public to desist from littering, protect public waste bins, dispose of rubbish responsibly and embrace waste reduction, reuse and recycling.
NetOne spokesperson Mr Ernest Magadzire said the First Lady’s environmental advocacy provided an important foundation for building communities characterised by cleanliness, national pride and collective responsibility.
“Her Excellency, the First Lady, Dr Auxillia Mnangagwa, continues to champion a vision that challenges us to build communities reflecting our dignity, Ubuntu and national pride.
“We cannot aspire to smart communities while tolerating littering, vandalism of public waste bins and the neglect of shared spaces,” he said.
Mr Magadzire said environmental responsibility should extend beyond organised national clean-up exercises, with every Zimbabwean expected to play a role in maintaining a clean environment.
“At NetOne, we believe environmental responsibility begins with individual action. Every citizen must become a champion of cleanliness, protecting the environment not only during national clean-up exercises but every day,” he said.
In Harare’s Central Business District, NetOne is working with the Ministry of Information Communication Technology, Postal and Courier Services, other players in the ICT sector, the City of Harare and the Environmental Management Agency (EMA) to strengthen environmental awareness and encourage responsible waste disposal.
In Bulawayo, the telecommunications company is also engaging faith-based institutions through the Bulawayo Churches Clean-Up Drive, recognising the important role churches play in mobilising communities and promoting responsible citizenship.
The involvement of churches and other community institutions is expected to strengthen public participation and ensure that environmental responsibility becomes embedded in everyday social practices.
The campaign complements the National Clean-Up Campaign introduced by President Mnangagwa and reinforces Government’s commitment to environmental sustainability and the attainment of Vision 2030.
The drive also speaks to the broader aspirations of building modern, orderly and sustainable communities through the participation of individuals, businesses, public institutions and local authorities.
As the country pursues economic modernisation and development, maintaining clean public spaces remains an important component of improving the quality of life and creating an environment conducive to investment and tourism.
For NetOne, the environmental initiatives also form part of its broader corporate social responsibility efforts as the company marks 30 years of connecting Zimbabweans.
