By Chantelle Muzanenhamo
MATABELELAND South Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution Albert Nguluvhe has commended environmentalist Nqobile Mkhwananzi for his remarkable 760-kilometre walk from Victoria Falls to Beitbridge on a littering and cleanliness awareness campaign for Zimbabwe’s highways.
Mkhwananzi completed the journey in 26 days, using the walk to educate communities along the route on the importance of environmental conservation and responsible waste management.
Nguluvhe made the remarks on Friday when he joined residents and various stakeholders in Beitbridge for the monthly National Clean-Up Campaign, which was conducted around the Border Post and Dulivhadzimu Stadium areas.
The campaign, held on the first Friday of every month, seeks to promote environmental cleanliness and encourage communities to take responsibility for maintaining a clean and healthy environment.
Commending Mkhwananzi for his dedication and commitment, Nguluvhe urged him to continue using his initiative to educate communities on the importance of cleanliness.
“You walked educating people on the importance of keeping our country clean. I want to commend you for that effort. You must continue educating people on the importance of cleanliness in our society,” said Hon. Nguluvhe.
During the clean-up exercise, Nguluvhe moved along the roads engaging and sensitising pedestrians, vendors and members of the business community on the importance of maintaining a clean environment.
He encouraged citizens to take personal responsibility for keeping Beitbridge clean, noting that environmental cleanliness is essential for public health, dignity and the overall image of the border town.
Nguluvhe also called on councillors to strengthen community mobilisation efforts and ensure increased participation by residents in future clean-up campaigns.
“The National Clean-Up Campaign is not an activity for civil servants or members of the security services alone. It belongs to all of us. Councillors must mobilise residents in their respective wards so that communities take ownership of keeping Beitbridge clean. Every resident, vendor and business has a responsibility to protect our environment,” he said.
Nguluvhe further urged vendors and business operators to maintain cleanliness around their places of operation and ensure proper waste disposal instead of littering streets and public spaces.
Nguluvhe commended all participants for their commitment, emphasising that the campaign should translate into lasting behavioural change rather than being treated as an activity reserved for the first Friday of every month.
He said maintaining a clean environment required collective responsibility and sustained efforts from individuals, businesses, communities and local authorities.
“A clean Beitbridge is everyone’s responsibility. Let us work together to build a clean, healthy, safe and attractive town that we can all be proud of,” said Nguluvhe.