Communities unite to preserve national shrines

Fungai Lupande

Mashonaland Central Bureau

People in Mashonaland Central are coming together to protect and preserve national shrines and other sites of historical significance through clean-up campaigns being spearheaded under the August Zero Waste Movement.

The initiative is bringing together Government departments, traditional leaders, local authorities, businesses, youths and residents to ensure that the environment surrounding the country’s sacred and heritage sites is kept clean.

The Zero Waste Movement, which is being championed by First Lady Dr Auxillia Mnangagwa, seeks to promote responsible consumption, waste separation, recycling and sustainable production.

The initiative has already been rolled out in Bindura, Mazowe, Mt Darwin and Mvurwi, with communities being encouraged to see waste as a resource rather than rubbish.

Speaking during the provincial Zero Waste Movement clean-up at Wadzana Business Centre in Shamva last Wednesday, Mrs Regerai Magomo, wife of Mashonaland Central Provincial Affairs and Devolution Minister Christopher Magomo, said linking environmental conservation with the preservation of national sites was encouraging patriotic participation.

“August is a historically profound month in Zimbabwe as we commemorated two major national commemorations, Heroes’ Day and Defence Forces Day,” she said.

Mrs Magomo said the month provided an opportunity for communities to honour the liberation struggle, heroes and heroines while taking responsibility for protecting places associated with the country’s history.

She said the approach had seen communities across the province participating in clean-up activities as part of efforts to protect the environment and preserve national heritage.

The campaign is being implemented at a time when improper waste disposal remains a threat to public health, biodiversity, tourism and socio-economic development.

Mrs Magomo urged residents to make environmental cleanliness a daily responsibility rather than limiting it to monthly clean-up campaigns.

“A clean city attracts investment, promotes tourism, improves public health and enhances community pride,” she said.

Mrs Magomo said the programme could also create economic opportunities for communities, particularly women and young people, through recycling enterprises.

She encouraged local authorities, financial institutions and the private sector to support communities with training, equipment and funding to establish waste collection and recycling businesses.

The Shamva clean-up brought together provincial and district leadership, traditional leaders, Government departments, the Environmental Management Agency, Chaminuka Rural District Council, businesses, and community members.

The involvement of traditional leaders is particularly significant in ensuring the protection of sacred and historical sites, as communities continue to recognise their cultural and historical value.

Mrs Magomo urged residents to take ownership of the initiative by avoiding illegal dumping, separating waste at source and embracing recycling.

She said collective action would help build a cleaner, greener and more prosperous Mashonaland Central while ensuring that national heritage sites remain worthy of the history they represent.