The Sunday Mail
Harare residents and other stakeholders have said the litter challenge can easily be resolved if the City of Harare puts its mind to it.
Editor’s Brief
Victoria Ruzvidzo
They said authorities should be motivated by the desire for Harare to regain its “Sunshine City” status.
The need to attract investment should also give them the impetus to go all out to have the city, particularly the Central Business District (CBD) clean. Other stakeholders need to move in with haste as well.
In response to my article last week on the eyesore that Harare’s CBD has become, many readers implored Harare to come up with a proper plan that could redress the situation in the shortest possible time, with many saying it was an issue that needed the attention it deserves. Basically, it is just about cleaning the dirt and ensuring no one drops litter again.
Below are some of the responses that we received from concerned citizens and potential investors.
Dear Editor,
I hope this letter finds you well. I am writing in response to the recent article written by Victoria Ruzvidzo regarding the litter mess in the Harare CBD. I commend her for shedding light on this pressing issue that affects our city and its inhabitants.
The article eloquently highlighted the magnitude of the garbage problem in the CBD, painting a vivid picture of the unsightly and unhygienic conditions that residents and visitors are subjected to. It is disheartening to witness the deterioration of our city’s cleanliness, as it not only poses environmental hazards but also tarnishes its image.
I wholeheartedly agree with the concerns raised in the article regarding the lack of waste management infrastructure and the need for effective strategies to tackle this issue. The absence of proper garbage collection systems, coupled with inadequate public awareness campaigns, has contributed to the worsening situation. It is imperative that the relevant authorities take immediate action to rectify this problem and ensure a cleaner and healthier CBD.
I would like to suggest a few possible solutions that could be explored to address the mess in the CBD. Firstly, there should be a comprehensive waste management plan in place, which includes regular garbage collection schedules, designated waste disposal areas and recycling initiatives. Implementing stricter regulations and penalties for littering could also serve as a deterrent and promote responsible waste disposal habits among the public.
Furthermore, public awareness campaigns should be intensified to educate residents and visitors about the importance of keeping our city clean. This could involve engaging schools, community organisations and local businesses to promote a culture of cleanliness and encourage responsible waste management practices.
Lastly, collaboration among Government, the private sector and citizens is crucial in tackling this issue. Public-private partnerships could be forged to invest in waste management infrastructure, such as waste treatment plants and recycling facilities. Additionally, citizen involvement through community clean-up drives and volunteer initiatives can play a significant role in maintaining cleanliness in the CBD.
I urge the authorities to take immediate action and prioritise the implementation of effective waste management strategies. By doing so, we can restore the beauty of our city, create a healthier environment for all, and enhance the overall quality of life for Harare’s residents and visitors.
Once again, I commend Ruzvidzo for raising awareness about this critical issue. I hope that through continued dialogue and concerted efforts, we can bring about positive change and ensure a cleaner and more sustainable future for our beloved city.
Thank you for your attention to this matter. I trust that you will consider publishing this letter to further engage the community in finding solutions to the garbage mess in Harare’s CBD.
Yours sincerely,
Malvern Madzva
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DaireWilson777 weighed in saying:
Hello. I went through your article on waste being disposed of on the streets in Harare. Firstly, the city fathers should not see it as garbage or waste, but as money. This means if vendors are spilling money on the streets at night, we should have a team in place to pick up the money and separate it — pennies in penny boxes, quarters in quarter boxes, dollars in dollar boxes . . . By so doing, the problem we are crying over will end. Billions of dollars are being dumped on the streets of Harare . . . It is not garbage, but money.
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- Mukoko wrote: Good evening Madam. As I am reading your article in The Sunday Mail, I am shocked to learn that there are so many concerned citizens in my beloved country, Zimbabwe. On September 8, 2023, I passed through the Bulawayo city centre. Litter was strewn all over at 1am.
I believe this must be treated as a national disaster. I stay in the Kopje area, where I own a high-rise commercial building that has seen its value go down due to the vendors and motor vehicle mechanics who operate in the area. Could you please keep on pressing that button? Maybe God might come to our rescue for your voice is louder, isusu havatombodairi foni dzedu. We visited many council offices to no avail. We have now given up. God bless you.
I also greatly appreciate your strong feelings concerning the issue affecting the present and future generations. There will be no Greater Harare and Bulawayo Skies to talk about if action is not taken as a matter of urgency.
God bless you for your insights.
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Tinotenda Chihota wrote: The article on garbage sheds light on the alarming increase in littering and garbage accumulation in the CBD.
It vividly describes the unsightly scenes of overflowing trash bins, discarded waste strewn across sidewalks and the overall deterioration of the urban environment.
The article highlights the detrimental effects of this problem on public health and the overall quality of life for residents. It also highlights the inadequate waste management infrastructure and the lack of public awareness campaigns to address this problem effectively.
I would also suggest that a collaborative effort involving the local government, businesses and the community is necessary to tackle this crisis. In light of the article’s findings, I believe it is crucial for the publication to play an active role in raising awareness and advocating change. The CBD is not only the economic hub of our city but also a reflection of our civic pride and commitment to sustainability. Therefore, I propose the following course of action:
- Continued coverage: We should assign a dedicated reporter or team to investigate the issue further, documenting specific instances of littering and garbage accumulation in the CBD. This ongoing coverage will help maintain public attention and pressure the authorities to take swift action. 2. Community engagement: We should encourage our readers to get involved by organising community clean-up drives, promoting responsible waste disposal practices and supporting local initiatives aimed at addressing the issue. Additionally, we can provide a platform for readers to share their experiences, suggestions and success stories related to waste management in the CBD. 3. Advocacy and Awareness: Our publication should actively engage with local government officials, environmental organisations and other relevant stakeholders to advocate improved waste management infrastructure, stricter enforcement of littering laws and the implementation of educational campaigns to foster a culture of cleanliness and sustainability. 4. Solutions and best practices: We should dedicate a section of our publication to highlight successful waste management initiatives in other cities or countries. By showcasing innovative approaches and best practices, we can inspire local authorities and the community to adopt effective strategies for waste reduction and recycling. I believe by taking these steps, we can make a significant impact in addressing the littering crisis in the CBD. Our publication has the power to inform, inspire and mobilise the community towards positive change.
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Tendai Makore wrote: Dear Editor, The poor state of refuse collection and littering in Harare are a serious problem that needs to be addressed. Litter is not only unsightly, it also poses a health risk to residents and attracts disease-carrying vermin. In addition, the lack of proper waste management is causing water pollution and other environmental problems. It is clear that more needs to be done to address this issue. I would like to suggest the following solution:
The city should establish a community-based waste management programme under which residents are encouraged to take responsibility for the cleanliness of their own neighbourhoods. This could involve a variety of initiatives, such as organising regular clean-up days, providing residents with recycling bins and conducting educational campaigns to raise awareness about the importance of proper waste disposal.
With the support of the community, this programme could make a significant difference in improving the condition of the city.
Additionally, the city could consider increasing the number of public bins available and placing them in strategic locations. This would make it easier for residents to properly dispose of their waste, reducing the amount of litter on the streets. The bins could also be clearly labelled to encourage residents to recycle their waste.
By doing this, I believe Harare can regain its Sunshine City status.
In God I trust!
Twitter handle: @VictoriaRuzvid2; Email: [email protected]; [email protected]; WhatsApp number: 0772 129 972.
