In a strong show of solidarity, the City of Masvingo has joined the nation in a nationwide environmental clean-up campaign, aimed at promoting cleanliness, environmental conservation, and the well-being of local communities.

The Presidential initiative, which saw active participation from government officials, local residents, environmental groups, and various companies, is part of a larger national effort to restore and protect the environment from the impacts of pollution.

As part of the nationwide environmental clean-up initiative, Council took decisive steps to address littering, waste management, and environmental degradation that have become significant challenges in urban areas.

This effort aims not only to enhance the aesthetic appeal of local neighborhoods but also to ensure a healthier living environment for all residents.

People gathered in strategic locations across the city to clean up public spaces and industrial sites.

A combination of waste collection, sorting, and disposal activities was carried out, with a focus on sustainable practices such as recycling and the responsible disposal of hazardous waste.

Council’s participation in the national clean-up day is just one of many steps toward making environmental care an integral part of daily life.

Future efforts will include the installation of more public recycling bins, increased community clean-up events, and the introduction of stricter by-laws on littering and waste management.

The focus is to shift to long-term environmental sustainability, ensuring that the progress made during the event will continue to positively impact the local environment for years to come.

The City of Masvingo is transitioning to an integrated solid waste management system with an engineered landfill at Cambria farm and establishment of an infectious diseases hospital.

Councillors and Council management this week toured a waste management site at Geo Pomona and City of Harare’s Beatrice Road Infectious Diseases Hospital to get an insightful and informative initiative allowing a better understanding of key aspects of public health, environmental sustainability, and waste management.

The tour was vital for identifying the processes, and encouraging collaborative solutions with key expects.

The tour aimed to educate Councillors and Council officials about waste management practices and how hospitals handle infectious diseases, focusing on the importance of sanitation, public health, and environmental responsibility.

Geo Pomona Waste Management CEO and chairman, Dr. Dilesh Nguwaya led the tour together with the City of Masvingo’s Chamber Secretary, Mr Vitalis Shonhai.

The City of Masvingo held Junior Council selection on the 28th of March 2025 with 15 students from different schools within Masvingo’s municipal boundaries taking the reigns.

The mandate of the Junior Council, is to advocate for the rights and welfare of children, promote youth participation in decision-making, and enhance youth skills through capacity building. They also bridge the gap between the Council and children from Masvingo urban.

They also function in the following,

Advocacy and Protection of Child Rights:

Junior Councils are child-led, apolitical organizations that focus on advocating for the realization, advancement, and protection of child rights.

Addressing Child-Specific Issues:

They address issues affecting children in their areas of jurisdiction, such as school dropouts, child abuse, HIV/AIDS, child-friendly budgeting, and child participation.

Youth and Child-Friendly Environment:

Junior Councils aim to create a Zimbabwe that is youth and child-friendly at both senior and junior local government levels.

Capacity Building and Skill Enhancement:

They enhance youth skills through capacity building initiatives, empowering young people to become active participants in their communities.

Lobbying and Networking:

Junior Councils lobby and advocate for the rights and welfare of children, working with civil society organizations (CSOs), the government, and development partners.

Promoting Democracy and Leadership:

Junior Councils aim to develop leadership abilities in students, promote democracy as a way of life, and establish and uphold high standard.

The City of Masvingo today joined the rest of the world in celebrating World Oral Health Day under the theme,’ A Happy Mouth … A Happy Mind’ at Mucheke Clinic.

The commemorations focused on the intricate link between oral health and mental well-being, highlighting the importance of a healthy mouth for overall happiness and quality of life.

The campaign aimed at raising awareness about how poor oral health can negatively impact mental health and encourage people to prioritize their oral health.

This is the second year of the three-year “A Happy Mouth is…” campaign, which aims to simplify oral health and make it accessible to everyone.

The nurses imparted knowledge on health education on oral health, that is the importance of frequent brushing teeth, alternatives to oral care, flossing and need for regular oral health checkups.

The City of Masvingo’s Runyararo Clinic has received a donation of medical equipment worth US$15 000 from Kernen City – Germany to boost health care service delivery in the city.

The donation was channeled towards procurement of a heavy-duty Autoclave machine, 6. 5 KV solar system and 10 000 litres tank for water reservoir.

His Worship, the Mayor Cllr Aleck Tabe received the donation and applauded the twinning arrangement between City of Masvingo and Kernen City which dates back from 1985.

The Mayor also received a heavy-duty washing machine and a heavy-duty dryer which was also donated by Kernen City earlier.

Through this relationship, City of Masvingo managed to construct Runyararo Clinic, Alpha Cottages with funds donated from Kernen City.

Present during the handover ceremony were representative of Kernen City – (Germany), Middlesbrough City – (UK) virtually, councilors, management and health services staff.

His Worship, the Mayor Cllr Aleck Tabe handed over uniforms and stationery to the 14 students who were awarded City of Masvingo scholarship grant, demonstrating a commitment to the development of human capital and investing in future success of Masvingo community.

The students on full scholarship programs were drawn from low-income families both in Council and government schools.

The scholarship helps break down financial barriers, offering students a chance to pursue education which may not have been an option without financial assistance. Thus, enhancing educational equity, by providing students from different socio-economic backgrounds with equal opportunities. Ensuring that all students, regardless of their financial status, have the chance to succeed.

Council scholarship is a valuable tool for promoting education, fostering social mobility, and contributing to the economic development of local communities. It offers students the financial support they need to pursue higher education and training, while also benefiting the community by creating a more educated and skilled workforce.

Such scholarship programs can have a lasting positive impact on both students and society as a whole.

Postpartum mothers at Mazorodze Maternity Home received a generous donation to support prenatal preparation from the Zimbabwe Banks and Allied Workers Union.

The timely donation which dovetails with the women’s month as the world celebrates International Women’s Day, wi contribute in promoting women’s health awareness and provide essential services.

Items donated include:

1. Diapers

2. Cotton wool

3. Spirit

As part of ongoing efforts to promote a healthier environment, the City of Masvingo on the 7th of March responded to the President’s clarion call and joined forces with Masvingo Rural District Council in a clean-up campaign at Bhani shopping center.

The initiative aimed to tackle poor waste management and its link to disease outbreaks such as cholera and typhoid.

Held every first Friday of the month, the campaign brought together dedicated government ministries, tertiaty institutions, schools and community members who cleaned the shopping centre, ensuring proper waste disposal.

Permanent Secretary in the office the Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution – Masvingo, Dr Pazvakavambwa, who attended the event, emphasized the need for residents to maintain a clean environment to prevent diseases.

The role of a clean environment in disease prevention cannot be overlooked.