This was one of several clean ups lined up by the HRT in 2012 in line with the Alternative Social Mobilisation programme where the organisation seeks to build communities’ responsibility towards their surroundings through mutually beneficial actions like clean ups, choral competitions, community soccer and netball.
Clean-ups were officially launched on 30 March 2012 in the Central Business District (CBD) with over 200 residents participating, backed by various non- governmental organisations, the Department of Waste Management, City Health and other organisations. The first clean up was held in Kuwadzana Phase 3 on Monday 14 May, and the third one will be undertaken in Highfield.
The event which started in early morning witnessed scores of old citizens from the neighbourhood pick up brooms and sweep the waste infested area.
Dumpsites continue to haunt the south western high density suburb but the cleaning activity was greeted with great applauds by dwellers, who said the council was finding it extremely difficult to meet demand, due to various reasons, among them lack of equipment and resources.
Chairperson of HRT’s Glen Norah B residents’ committee, Juliet Masiyambiri, during the clean up, said members of the community had resolved to remove the piled garbage from their suburb, especially outside school and church yards, as well as street corners and open spaces.
“The memories of deceased relatives and neighbours are still fresh in our hearts and minds following the cholera outbreak three years ago and the dumpsites in our areas are a real threat to us.
“We as residents with the facilitation and assistance from HRT have managed to carry out this cleanup exercise. We requested the Department of Waste Management to help us to clear the rubbish sites so that we have a clean and safe environment.”
Masiyambiri said they selected the open spaces, outside school gates and churches as a priority given the mounting garbage heaps.
One of the senior citizens drenched in sweat, Gretor Mangena of house number 6062 Orange place road close to Ruvheneko Primary School, said while the Harare City Council has failed to regularly collect garbage from their area, irresponsible residents have also contributed to the worsening environmental situation by reckless refuse dumping.
“Refuse collection is sporadic in Glen Norah hence the emergence of dump sites all over.
“However as residents, on the background of water shortages we have opted for disposable nappies which we dump outside schools where we send our grandchildren stirring another catastrophe, so we need to manage our own environment through these initiatives,” she said.
The onslaught on garbage piles was cleared by close to 100 residents in one day but waste management services had neglected them for over a year.
The HRT commends the citizens of Glen Norah B, and others from Highfield for such a successful clean up exercise. The exercise received overwhelming support from the residents of the area, Ward 27 Councillor Hebert Gomba, the local District Office and the Department of Waste Management who all cooperated with the HRT to help clear mounds of garbage in the area.
This was done with the major aim of having a cleaner environment.
Post published in: News