By Tadiwa Shunje
MASVINGO- City of Masvingo has intensified efforts to keep the city clean and attractive as the
province steps up preparations to host the 2027 Sanganai/Hlanganani World Tourism Expo, with
provincial and local authorities calling for lasting changes in waste management beyond the
latest city-wide clean-up campaign on September 4, 2026.
The clean-up exercise, led by Masvingo Provincial Affairs and Devolution Minister Ezra
Chadzamira, Tourism and Hospitality Industry Minister Barbara Rwodzi and his deputy Tongai
Mnangagwa, brought together government officials, businesses and other stakeholders as the
province seeks to present a clean city to tourists and delegates expected for the tourism
showcase.
Speaking after the clean-up, Chadzamira said the exercise was particularly important as
Masvingo prepares to welcome visitors from Zimbabwe and beyond, but stressed that
maintaining a clean environment should not be limited to organized clean-up days.
“We have gathered here in the city of Masvingo because it is fitting that our leaders, industries
and other stakeholders lead by example as we join the world in the clean-up movement. This
exercise is not a stand-alone event; it is our national contribution to the global movement of
citizens standing together against littering, illegal dumping and poor waste management
practices,” Chadzamira said.
He said the clean-up campaign should be used to encourage responsible waste management
practices, including waste separation, recycling and reducing unnecessary waste.
“Today we say clean-up must move beyond a once-off collection exercise. It must become
prevention, responsible consumption, waste separation, recycling and sustained community
action, consistent with our national thrust of promoting zero waste. I therefore urge you all to
remember that keeping our city clean is everyone’s responsibility. Government cannot make
every street, market and home clean, and secondly, we must keep it clean after the clean-up. It
must translate into behaviour change, not a one-day improvement that fades by the following
week,” he said.
Chadzamira also challenged industries and manufacturers in Masvingo, particularly those in the
textile sector, to take greater responsibility for the waste they generate.
“I mainly appeal to the industrialists and manufacturers in Masvingo, including our textile sector,
to take the lead in waste separation. As they produce plastic packaging, offcuts and textile waste,
these must be separated, recovered and channeled into recycling rather than being left to choke
our drains and open spaces. They should undertake clean-ups in their surroundings, support
material recovery and explore practical alternatives to single-use plastics,” he said.
He said stronger participation by businesses in waste management could also create economic
opportunities through recycling and reuse.
“Where business is involved in proper waste separation, they are not only protecting the
environment; they are opening the doors to new green jobs in reuse and recycling. Our clean-up
steering committees should continue working throughout this period as the province prepares to
host the 2027 edition of the Sanganai/Hlanganani Zimbabwe. I urge you all to ensure that we
maintain a clean city, as quite a number of visitors are going to visit this place. Let us keep
spreading the message of keeping our city clean and let this continue as a habit,” said
Chadzamira.
Masvingo City Council Town Clerk Eng Edward Mukaratirwa said the city was also
strengthening its waste management systems through investment in equipment and the use of
data to identify the major sources of litter.
He said the local authority conducted a waste survey in 2023 to establish where most of the litter
was coming from and the quantities being generated, information which is now being used to
develop targeted strategies.
“In 2023 we carried out a waste survey to establish where our litter was coming from and the
amount of waste being generated. From that survey, we developed strategies to deal with the
waste, and we have hope that enhancing those strategies will help us keep our city cleaner,” said
Eng Mukaratirwa
He added that Government had approved the purchase of three refuse compactors, with the
tendering process already completed.
“We also want to thank the support we continue to receive from central Government whenever
we need to purchase equipment such as refuse compactors and other machinery. This year,
Government approved us to buy three compactors and we have awarded the tenders. They are
now on the way, and this is part of our strategy to deal with waste. We assure you that we want
this city to remain clean forever,” he said.
Eng Mukaratirwa also acknowledged the continued support of businesses and other stakeholders
in the city’s clean-up initiatives, citing Great Zimbabwe Realtors, N Richards, NetOne, Econet
and Bywood Motors among those supporting the events.
