Miracle Missions came together with local businesses and residents to clean up Kamfinsa Shopping Centre on Friday morning.

The clean-up was attended by 112 people from different walks of life. Miracle Missions’ Sharon Hook explained, “We bring the community together: businesses, private sector, schools and local residents and make them proud of their city and the area they work in.” Participating organisations included Swift, Bethany College, Countess Saloon, DV8 Restaurant, Seventh Day Adventist church, Spar and different individuals from the informal sector.

Local residents volunteered to clean up rubbish while those who could not attend sent their domestic workers. Local business donated refreshments and others sent their workers to volunteer. Swift provided transport to take the collected litter away.

“We also took some time to educate shop owners and vendors on waste management and the principles of recycling,” said Hook. She encouraged the business community to have bins at their premises to avoid further littering after the clean-up.

Councillor for Ward 9, of which Kamfinsa is a part, Stewart Mutiza was also on board. “As a community,” he said, “we are thinking of engaging people who will act as our marshals monitoring littering.” He says it would help if residents and members of the business community donate for the welfare of the marshals, “This will benefit all stakeholders as it contributes to a cleaner and healthier community.”

Kamfinsa has had several clean-ups but the dirt keeps on resurfacing. “We have had so many clean-ups by different organisations. The four last ones were done by Seventh Day Adventist Church, City of Harare (CoH), Ministry of Tourism and now we have Miracle Missions,” said Mutiza. He says that he appreciates all the effort in preserving the environment, however he advocates for stern penalties on littering and illegal dumping. “After such a clean-up and enriching education on waste management, I do not see why people would keep on littering so I say we need deterrent fines on such offences,” said Mutiza.

The current penalties on illegal dumping and littering range between $25 and $250 depending on the seriousness of the offence. CoH waste management inspector Trish Mukudu, also at Kamfinsa on Friday, added, “We encourage members of the public to report illegal dumping and littering.” She said if one witnesses motorists littering they should call the waste management hotline 770339. “Let’s work together to keep our city clean,” she implored.

Miracle Missions is a non-governmental organisation that facilitates sustainable transformation by assisting Zimbabwean communities to move from donor dependency to self empowerment. They identify issues then strategically network to mobilise and co-ordinate skills and resources to craft relief and development solutions.