Miriam Zvomuya
Following the recent declaration by the government where cholera was declared state of emergency, the Zimbabwe Youth Council (ZYC) will conduct a clean-up campaign on Friday the 28th of September, under the theme, “safe space for youth” in the organisation’s quest to thwart the water-borne disease.
Speaking at a stakeholders meeting yesterday, the Acting Director of the Zimbabwe Youth Council Mr.Cephas Nyoni said youths will be targeting Kaguvi Street and bus termini like Market Square, Cop cabana and Forth Street.
Nyoni said, ”Since the City of Harare is trying to remove litter in other streets within our central business district, the ZYC will clean Kaguvi Street which has a lot of motor mechanical work compared to all other areas where the business has risen.
“The clean-up campaign will begin in Harare and spread to other towns. since Harare City Council has a mandate to achieve a world city status. We are seeking to maintain the Sunshine City status for Harare. The clean-up campaign is not coming as a result of the outbreak of cholera in Zimbabwe. September is a “World Clean Up Month” hence the clean-up is to be done on Friday the 28th of September.
The clean-up campaign march will begin at State House where youths will meet ZYC Director for the programme overview, the Minister of Youth, Sport, Arts and Recreation, Kirsty Coventry and His Excellency Innocent Chikwanda the Junior President of Zimbabwe among other dignitaries.
The Harare City Council has suggested erecting and installing bins at intersections of roads like Leopard Takawira and Nelson Mandela Avenue so that people do not throw litter everywhere. The placing of the bins at intersection makes work easier for the Harare City Council to collect garbage compared to placing bins harpharzadly.
Zimbabwe Youth Council concluded that the cleaning up of Kaguvi Street will not be done for a day only but a certain group of youth will be appointed to clean that street regularly in pursuit of youth empowerment and participation.
Various stakeholders and environment workers who were present at the Stakeholders meeting in preparation of a massive clean-up campaign include Netone, Harare City Council, Ministry of Youth, RAE Recycle, Zimbabwe Muslim Organization to mention but a few. These stakeholders will take part on the Cleanup campaign by providing man power, cleaning tools such as brooms, bins, gloves, water, masks and other cleaning tools.