Tourism and Environment

Stalked by the droughts, Lubangwe villagers appeal for climate change lessons

Published

2 years ago

June 7, 2023

BY LWANDLE MTHUNZI

Villagers in Lubangwe area in Hwange have said they are facing serious drought as a result of changing weather patterns which result in erratic rains and invasion of fields and homesteads by wild animals.

Lubangwe is on the edge of the Hwange National Park and villagers, besides struggling to access clean water, endure running battles with wild animals all year round to protect their crops and livestock as animals stray into communities in search for food as a result of the effects of climate change.

Climate change refers to long-term shifts in temperatures and weather patterns, where the start of the rainy season is no longer stable.

Such shifts in weather can be natural, due to changes in the sun’s activity or large volcanic eruptions and also because of human activities such as burning of fossil fuels like coal in nearby Hwange mining town, oil and gas, cutting down of trees for farming and charcoal production, which have been the main driver of climate change.

Villagers said women and girls are the worst affected as they have to walk long distances to fetch water from the nearby Lubangwe river which also dries up during the dry season.
They appealed to the government to intervene and drill some boreholes.

VicFallsLive, through community listening sessions, also established an information gap on the community’s understanding of climate change, hence the need to educate people about changing weather patterns for sustainable livelihoods.

Edwin Nyoni, who is village head for village 1 Railway Farm 55 said people have tried conservation farming, but elephants and quelea birds destroy crops.

“We don’t really understand this climate change thing because when we went to school we didn’t learn about it so we wish there could be awareness about it,” said Nyoni.

He said drought has been a challenge the past few years.

“It used to rain but in the last three or four years we have been facing drought. We have shifted planting season and used conservation farming as well as resorted to drought resistant crops like sorghum and millet but still it’s the same.

“We also have a problem with elephants and qualia birds that destroy the little that we would have gotten. We usually take turns to guard our crops at night and sometimes we call Zimparks rangers to come and help. As we speak people are facing drought so we hope the government will help with grain relief,” he added.

Lanyula Village 2 head Joseph Munsaka concurred that because of changing rainfall patterns farmers are forced to plant early.

He said wild animals are also a problem in his village.

“Rainfall patterns have changed and people now have to plant early unlike before because the rainy season ends early in February. We do not know what is happening. Those who plant early in November get better yields and if you delay planting you don’t harvest anything,” said Munsaka.

He appealed to the government to help with weather information ahead of the rainy season so that villagers are aware of when to plant.

“We have a problem of elephants destroying crops leaving people facing hunger. As we speak this year few villagers got better yields but many were disturbed by elephants and as village heads we expect the government to help us with food so we feed our people.

Gilbert Munkuli of Village 3 also echoed similar sentiments, adding that high temperatures were making farming unsustainable.

Besides wild animals that include lions, there are also other pests that have invaded the area because of change in weather patterns.

“We also have pests and birds that destroy crops and we appeal to the government to help us because people are struggling,” said Munkuli..

“Rivers dry up and the few boreholes that we have have also dried up. Lubangwe river floods during the rainy season, but quickly dries up and we are left with no water.

“People are losing cattle to drought and wild animals and some families have lost the whole herd. We ask the president to help us. We also need schools because our children walk seven kilometers one way to school through the wildlife infested bush and across the river which should also have a bridge,” he said.

Nesi Mpala of village 2 said women and children are the worst affected as they have to walk for about three kilometers to fetch water through wild animal infested bush.

She thanked a local developer that has installed a solar powered borehole at his project and allowed neary homesteads to fetch water.

“During the rainy season it’s better because rivers have water but now that we are in the dry season all rivers dry up. We thank Lanyula Cultural Village because they have installed a solar powered borehole from where people fetch water. Our prayer is that in future he will be assisted to put jojo tanks for us in the village,” she said.

Another villager Evah Makaza from village 1 said changing weather patterns have worsened the water situation in the area, with girls and women the worst affected.
She appealed to the government and donor community to help establish self help projects for sustainability.”

National

Tsholotsho to host national commemoration of International Day for Disaster Risk Reduction

Published

3 days ago

October 20, 2025

VicFallsLive

BY NOKUTHABA DLAMINI

Zimbabwe will on Thursday, this week, join the rest of the world in commemorating the International Day for Disaster Risk Reduction (IDDR), with national events set to take place at Tshino Primary School in Ward 5, Tsholotsho District, along the Tsholotsho–Sipepa road.

The global day, observed annually, aims to promote a culture of disaster risk awareness and highlight efforts to reduce vulnerability and build resilience in communities.

Speaking to VicFallsLive, Civil Protection Unit Director Nathan Nkomo said this year’s commemoration holds special significance for Tsholotsho, a district that has long struggled with recurrent flooding.

“The whole issue is to reduce, not to increase the occurrence of disasters. And by commemorating, that’s where we share ideas with other people,” Nkomo said.

He noted that Tsholotsho’s selection as the national host was deliberate, following the successful relocation of families who were affected by flooding at the confluence of the Gwai and Shashani rivers.

“It’s not by accident that we are commemorating in Tsholotsho. We have built 305 houses for people who were affected in the Spepa area, and we will be celebrating in style because we have managed to relocate them,” he said.

“Now we no longer hear of people being flooded in Tsholotsho because of that relocation. So, we will be celebrating in style for Tshini and Sawudweni.”

The relocations, carried out under government’s disaster recovery and housing programs, have been hailed as a success story in proactive disaster risk management.

Looking ahead to the cyclone season, Nkomo said funding remains the major challenge in preparedness and response.

“We cannot preempt to say there are challenges yet, but historically, since we’ve dealt with COVID-19 and Cyclone Idai, the issue of funds has always been critical,” he said.

“This year, we are dealing with cyclones at a time when even our development partners have dwindling resources. So, funding will take centre stage in our deliberations, to see how best we can respond with the little we have. The whole idea, when you go to war, is not the question of numbers, but of strategy and how to win.”

The International Day for Disaster Risk Reduction is observed globally every October 13, but Zimbabwe’s national commemorations are being held later this year to align with local preparedness programs and community-based activities.

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ZimParks to host first-ever International Wildlife Conservation symposium

Published

6 days ago

October 17, 2025

VicFallsLive

BY NOKUTHABA DLAMINI

The Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Authority (ZimParks) will hold its inaugural International Wildlife Conservation Symposium under the theme “Wildlife Conservation and Sustainable Development.”

The two-day event, scheduled for October 22 to 23, next week, will take place at the Management Training Bureau in Msasa, Harare. It will bring together conservationists, researchers, policymakers, and students to discuss key issues around wildlife protection and sustainable development.

The symposium will focus on eight sub-themes, namely Wildlife Conservation and Transboundary Management, Freshwater, Fisheries and Aquatic Management, Sustainable Tourism and Socio-Economic Development, Human-Wildlife Interactions, Environmental Health and Safety, Climate Change Adaptation and Mitigation, Community-Based Natural Resource Management, and Natural Resource Policy and Governance.

ZimParks says the symposium will provide a platform to exchange ideas and deepen understanding of the link between wildlife conservation and sustainable development. Members of the public, students, and professionals are encouraged to attend.

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591 rangers killed in Africa — New report warns of urgent need for Better Protection

Published

3 weeks ago

October 1, 2025

VicFallsLive

BY NOKUTHABA DLAMINI

At least 591 rangers were killed in Africa between 2006 and 2021, making the continent the deadliest place in the world for those on the frontline of protecting wildlife. This stark statistic was revealed by conservation charity Tusk in a press statement issued to mark World Ranger Day, warning that without urgent reforms, more lives will be lost — and Africa’s biodiversity will pay the price.

“Being a ranger extends far beyond conservation. You are educators, community leaders, researchers, mentors and protectors of cultural and historical heritage, yet this remains one of the most dangerous jobs on Earth,” said Prince William, Tusk’s Royal Patron, in a video message to rangers.

Despite their sacrifices, fewer than 40% of rangers worldwide have access to life insurance, and only 63% receive basic medical services. Many are still underpaid, under-equipped, and exposed to deadly risks from armed poachers, human-wildlife conflict, and hazardous terrain.

Nick Bubb, CEO of Tusk, said: “Too many rangers risk their lives without even the most basic protection. If we are serious about delivering the global biodiversity targets, we must further professionalise the ranger role – with insurance, fair pay, and recognition – so that it becomes a career young Africans aspire to join.”

The White Paper, Protecting Rangers to Protect Nature, stresses that Africa currently has just 65,000 active rangers — far short of the 345,000 needed to meet international biodiversity targets, including the 30×30 goal to protect 30% of land and seas by 2030.

Louise de Bruin, CEO of the Game Rangers Association of Africa, added: “Our priority is to stand with rangers on the ground and support the organisations that employ them. The RWSI gives us a practical way to listen to rangers, assess their needs, and work alongside partners to improve welfare standards.”

The statement calls for governments, donors, and conservation organisations to embed reforms through the Ranger Welfare and Standards Initiative, launched last year. Measures include affordable insurance, professional training, fair pay, and continent-wide emergency systems to ensure no ranger is left vulnerable.

Senior ranger Benson Kanyembo from Zambia captured the human cost: “Ranger recruitment is low because the job, as it stands, is not attractive enough. Rangers face extreme personal risk while their families live one accident or illness away from destitution. This is not acceptable.”

The report concludes that protecting rangers is inseparable from protecting nature. Without them, Africa risks losing not only its iconic elephants, rhinos, and lions — but also the ecosystems that provide food, water, and livelihoods for millions.