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Writes Chimeno Azriel
Kadoma’s Sanyati District joined millions of people around the world to celebrate World Environmental Day.The District enfolded the theme “#Beat Plastic Pollution” to draw attention to this insistent environmental concern and how schools and Communities can improve the quality of the environment. The commemorations were held at Odyssey Hotel in Kadoma.
Government officials, school children, and organisations converged at the hotel to commemorate Environmental Day which also coincided with Children’s Conference Day which saw schools showcasing their talents in research and findings as they try to beat pollution.
The day was organised by the Forestry Commission (FC), Environmental Management Agency (EMA), the Community Capacity Building Initiative Centre for Africa (CCBICA), Zimbabwe Church and Community Transformation Network(ZCCTN), various stakeholders, Organisations, and schools with the gist to create an eco-conscious society.
Schools provided entertainment in poetry. There was drama from Munyaradzi Primary School, and drum majorettes from Chedonje Primary. The theme highlighted the need to beat climate change by avoiding pollution in Kadoma.
Speaking on the sidelines of the function, Sanyati District Forestry Extension Officer, Mrs Namatai Maunzagona said the commemoration was vital to all including children as they needed to have a relationship with their environment.
“This commemoration is of paramount importance for it leaves school children with the option of transforming the climate through improving their relationship with nature. Thus they have to beat plastic pollution,” said Mrs. Maunzagona touching on the competition for schools in planting and caring.
CCBICA Director, Mr. Rodreck Dick expressed happiness to work with school children to conscientise their minds about pollution.
“Working with the young ones gives them an open mind so that they work with the environment and in the end, they will beat the pollution,” said Mr Dick.
Schools took part in the Schools Environmental Competitions and were awarded Certificates. In the Primary Schools Category, Chedonje Primary School came first after they beat seven other Primary Schools to land the top post.
Waverley Primary came second, Munyaradzi came third with Sir John Kennedy coming fourth, Maranatha 5th, Cotton Research 6th, West View 7th with Mupamombe coming 8th.
In the Secondary Category, Jameson High came 1st, Waverley Secondary came 2nd, Ingezi Salvation Army came 3rd with Rimuka 2 coming fourth and Pen Academy coming 5th.
Speaking about what the Forestry Department is intending to work with schools after the commemoration, Mrs Namatai Maunzagona said they are embarking on tree growing and caring competition and the winning school is going to host the tree planting day celebrations which happens on the first week of December.
“Our target is to plant 120 000 trees as a district. We are currently running a tree growing and tree care competition for schools in the district and the winning school will host the tree planting day,” said the District Forestry Extension Officer.
The Forestry Commission partners with various stakeholders including CCBICA, NEAT, ZECN, the Anglican church, Forestry Commission, EMA, Kadoma City Council, Sanyati Rural District Council, and Schools to mention only but a few to carry out their duties.