By Melisa Munzvandi
ENVIRONMENTAL campaigner Nqobile Mkhwananzi successfully embarked on and completed a 760 kilometre walk from Victoria Falls to Beitbridge to raise awareness on littering.
He also aimed at encouraging communities to keep the country’s highways clean.
The walk coincides with national clean up month and is Mkhwananzi’s seventh annual campaign as well as the two nations marathon to be held.
It began in Victoria Falls on of September 4 this year where he was sent off by officials from Palm Hospitality Group, Victoria Falls City Council and Reach Out Trust in cleaning the highway from the central business district to Masuwe turn off.
Mkhwananzi said “we are all travellers and we tend to snack as we travel thus we need to keep our highways clean “
He said the walk is meant to raise awareness among travelers to keep highways litter free and also give our tourists that use these same highways a good impression on our country.
Upon arrival on his 26th and last day walking in Beitbridge,Mkhwananzi told stakeholders in meeting held at the Municipality premises that he will conduct clean ups and visit schools to engage environmental clubs so as to raise awareness on environmental cleanliness.
He said there should be greater emphasis on behaviour change and encouraging people to dispose of waste properly.
He questioned whether it is better to promote a clean up which is a result of negligence and attitude, or to encourage a culture of binning litter.
He said “Cleanups are as a result of of reckless attitude”. Emphasising that if all litter is put in the bin, there will be no need for a clean up and clean up time can be used for other productive projects.
He called for all stakeholders to work together to raise awareness against litter.
Mkhwananzi said the 760km journey has provided an opportunity to combine environmental awareness, community engagement and conservation education while drawing attention to the littering problem along one of the country’s major highways.