Private school engages corporate sector in clean-up campaign
A LOCAL private school, Montessori Zimbabwe on Friday embarked on a clean-up campaign Bulawayo with the aim to raise awareness about the need to keep the city clean.
The initiative was spearheaded by Montessori Zimbabwe principal Mrs Nicki Pugh and other stakeholders including the city council, Zimbabwe Climate Change Coalition, Emmaus International, Canon South Africa, Fence Africa, the Zimbabwe Republic Police, and Edgars Stores partnering to make the campaign a success.
“We at Montessori Zimbabwe are very concerned about our environment especially around the school and in the city. Again, a very big part of our curriculum is teaching about effects of environmental pollution on littering and dumping rubbish, respecting our premises and advocating for peace within Bulawayo,” she said.
Mrs Pugh said she could not just watch while uncollected litter turned the beautiful city into an eyesore.
“Bulawayo has been one of the clean cities in the country and at the moment it is really filthy and I cannot watch that happen hence as Montessori we decided to engage other stakeholders to clean up.
“The children are aware of how to keep their environs clean but the adults’ behaviour is so disappointing, we really need to try and make people conscious to clean up the rubbish and clean up after themselves. Transport was provided from the City Hall to the designated areas and water as well is being provided by Edgars. Ema provided gloves and bags and Canon South Africa will be giving a small gift to each child,” she said.
Seventeen other schools participated which include Mtshede Primary, Mzilikazi Primary, Thomas Rudland Primary, Carmel, Kumalo Primary, Coghlan Primary, Whitestone Primary, Gifford High, Henry Low, Girls College, Townsend High, Queen Elizabeth, Sigombe Primary, Moray Primary, Masiyephambili Primary, Milton, Centenary Primary.
Bulawayo City Council spokesperson Mrs Nesisa Mpofu commended the school for engaging other stakeholders in keeping the city clean.
“We are pleased that many stakeholders engaged in this clean up campaign which shows that Bulawayo is committed to regain its glory as being the cleanest city in Zimbabwe. Our message from today is that every day is a clean up day and we expect everyone everywhere to be a responsible citizen in keeping the city clean.
“We want to warn litter bugs that littering is a criminal offence and that those found littering will be fined by the council,” she said.