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Tanaka Mahanya Features Writer
The global world today is experiencing major constant propagation of religious all-night prayers and crusades which are believed to provide solutions to the numerous problems facing people.
Sounds of horns, clattering cymbals, blasting drums, rattling shackles and high-pitched voices accompany worshippers at all-night prayers and crusades.
People living in the proximity where these religious gatherings take place are exposed to noise pollution coming from raucous loud speakers with no respect to time, day or night. To make matters worse, this can be on any day, be it during the week or weekend.
The situation is worse at night as the noise breaks the peaceful atmosphere, waking up residents from their sleep.
An increase in all-night prayers and crusades held in households is brought out of the understanding that in Zimbabwe there is freedom of religious worship, but central to this is the query of its ecological effects on people in the community.
Services take place without considering how the general populace will be affected.
Religious places of worship are increasing at a very high rate in all available spaces, homes and uncompleted buildings which are not soundproof.
Some of the victims of noise effluence are afraid and discouraged to voice out their concerns on the challenges they face.
This is because if they complain, they are viewed as enemies of God’s word, who are engaged in evil practises which they do not want to be exposed.
Whilst bar and club customers enjoy drinks, food, and their great moments such as talking to friends in high spirits, they fail to mind the impact of noise on society.
The sounds produced by people talking, laughing, singing, and cheering, and the noise generated from the impact of glassware, beverage machines, loudspeakers, and instruments of live bands negatively affect nearby residents.
Students living in such an environment lose concentration while studying at night, and that alone is capable of reducing their productivity.
Chapter 4: 6 of Harare (Noise) by-laws notes that no person shall operate or cause or permit to operate any loud speaker, musical instrument or similar device in the neighbourhood in or adjacent in any public street or public place without the prior written consent of the council.
Failure to abide by that will lead to imprisonment of not more than one year, with or without fine.
However, people do not abide by these laws.
Hence, there should be educational campaigns on the effects of these environmental stressors on people’s health and quality of life, and also to report such issues to council.
Open clarification on the human health damages related with noise pollution is important to ensure that people act in an informed manner since many do not know that noise has any effect on people’s health.
Planning and designing of buildings should be done in a way to ensure church and tavern buildings are soundproof, so as to have an environment that can promote the population’s physical and mental health.
Online Reporter