Marondera youths take waste management crisis head-on
AGROUP of young people has become a common sight in Marondera's Nyameni high-density suburb where they pick litter. The unemployed youths spend much of their time at a nearby dumpsite after collecting rubbish and their goal is to restore Marondera, a farming town located about 74km east of Harare, to its former glory and perhaps become “the Garden of Eden” in as far as cleanliness is concerned.
Working under the banner Restore Eden Initiative, the youths have been targeting churches and schools preaching about waste management and climate change challenges.
"This is an initiative of young people who are enthusiastic about their environment, who want to make a meaningful contribution to the fight against the triple planetary crisis, that is climate change, pollution and biodiversity loss," said Donovan Makuzo, the leader of the group.
"The idea was born during a UN 75th anniversary celebration hosted at the National Arts Gallery.
"We noticed that there was a gap in terms of church representation in the fight against climate change and felt compelled to fill that gap inspired by Genesis 2:15.
"However, as the idea developed it also became about the community as we soon discovered that the populace was not meaningfully participating in environmental management or protection due to lack of knowledge.
Marondera town is currently grappling with a waste management crisis due to a massive shortage of manpower and refuse collection trucks.
The members of the Restore Eden Initiative, have been visiting churches and schools to lure many to join them in mitigating litter challenges.
"Leaning on the six elements of ACE (Action for Climate Empowerment) we decided to fill that gap and come up with programmes to get communities informed not only about climate action but all pressing matters of the environment.
“Currently, we are educating, empowering and raising communities' environmental awareness.
“We believe that with knowledge, every community member will participate and engage better in environmental action,” added Makuzo.
“We have participated in the national clean-up campaigns which we
use as a tool to reach out to communities advising them to be more responsible with their waste management. We also engage in small sessions as members, learning about the environment.”
The over-arching goal of ACE is to empower all members of society to engage in climate action, through the six ACE elements — climate change education and public awareness, training, public participation, public access to information and international co-operation on these issues.
The youths are also targeting learners with their waste management gospel.
“We started what we are calling earth stewardship in schools through establishing environmental clubs. As an unfunded initiative, it is always a challenge to execute our activities in the exact way we might be envisioning. That has been our biggest challenge so far,” said Makuzo.
According to the Environmental Management Agency (Ema), Zimbabwe generates more than 300 000 tonnes of plastic waste per year.
A significant proportion of that waste is dumped on the streets or open spaces and hardly recycled or properly disposed of.
Ema Mashonaland East provincial information and publicity officer Astas Mabwe said waste management required a multi-sectoral approach.
“As Ema, we applaud such noble initiatives that help in restoring, reversing land degradation and enhancing environment protection. Our motto is, together-protecting the environment. We encourage other youths and likeminded stakeholders to follow the Restore Eden initiative. A multi-sectoral approach is required in waste management,” said Mabwe.
Zimbabwe is battling a cholera outbreak which has claimed close to 500 lives since February last year as the nation battles to deal with water, sanitation and hygiene issues.
The Health ministry recently confirmed that 60 out of 63 districts in the country have recorded cholera cases.
Government has blamed local authorities of failing on their waste management mandate in towns and cities because of lack of investment in waste management infrastructure, equipment and human resources.
Marondera town mayor Chengetai Murowa urged residents to develop interest in cleaning the environment.
“It is upon each and every resident to ensure that the environment is clean. As council we do our best but we also need assistance from different organisations and individuals to deal with litter in our town. We are happy that we have environmental clubs that have been hands on, on waste management through recycling cabbage,” said Murowa.
As Genesis 2 verse 15 says: “The Lord God took the man and put him in the Garden of Eden to work it and take care of it”, it takes the courage of Marondera youths to participate in environmental protection programmes and restore the town to its former glory.
“It is all about passion. We are motivated with the little we have to ensure that we protect the environment for the better of all residents in Marondera,” said Makuzo.