Churches Join Residents in National Clean-Up Campaign

By Staff Reporter

Religious organisations in Bulawayo on Friday joined residents in the National Clean-Up Campaign, responding to President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s call for collective action in maintaining a clean and healthy environment.

The initiative brought together several churches, including the Roman Catholic Church, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, the Apostolic Faith Church and various Pentecostal congregations, in a united demonstration of civic responsibility.

Zimbabwe Council of Churches (ZCC) national chairperson, Reverend Mbongeni Dube, who coordinated the exercise, said the churches were motivated by both Government policy and Biblical teachings on stewardship.

He said Christians are guided by scripture to be the “salt and light of the earth” (Matthew 5:13–14), a calling that extends to caring for their environment.

“As churches, we are leading by example towards a clean Bulawayo. Our motivation is rooted in both Government policy and theology. The Bible teaches that God placed humanity in a garden and instructed them to care for it,” said Rev Dube.

He added that the campaign was conducted in collaboration with other faith groups and institutions, including the Muslim community, Bulawayo City Council and the Environmental Management Agency (EMA).

“We are working closely with other religious movements, the city council and EMA. We also have the support of the mayor and the Minister of State for Bulawayo Provincial Affairs and Devolution. Our goal is to see a clean Bulawayo,” he said.

Rev Dube expressed hope that the initiative would inspire broader participation from residents and encourage the city council to strengthen service delivery and provide incentives to support cleanliness efforts.

The campaign also focuses on promoting behavioural change, particularly among vendors and business operators in the central business district (CBD).

“We are engaging vendors and stakeholders through workshops to cultivate a culture of cleanliness. A mindset shift is essential. We are starting with key groups such as vendors and businesspeople in the CBD,” he said.

Areas cleaned during the exercise included Joshua Mqabuko Nkomo Street to 10th Avenue, Sixth Avenue to Fort Street and Herbert Chitepo Street.

Nonkanyiso Mabaleka of Amazing Grace City Church said the clean-up drive was about more than removing litter — it was about nurturing responsible citizenship.

“It is not only about cleaning the streets, but about building a culture that can grow within people and be passed down to future generations. We cannot expect progress in a dirty environment,” she said.

Mabaleka added that maintaining a clean city contributes to broader development, including improved infrastructure, economic growth and community pride.

“When we raise the standards of our city, it positively affects other areas such as the economy and even our finances. The city belongs to us, and we must change our mindset,” she said.

The monthly National Clean-Up Campaign continues to attract participation from various sectors as Government advances efforts toward sustainable urban cleanliness and environmental protection.