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Tour operators, residents take up the initiative to keep Victoria Falls the cleanest city in Africa

Published

2 years ago

February 6, 2023

BY BRENDA NCUBE

Being driven by the ambition to make Victoria Falls the cleanest resort city in Africa, residents and tourism operators have continued to take up the initiative in large numbers in line with modern trends of greening tourism.

The initiative called the Pristine Victoria Falls Society (PVFS) was founded a few years ago and according to the members of the community the initiative aims to maintain the cleanliness, naturalness and greenness of the City.

The companies and individuals pledge to be responsible for the cleaning and picking of litter in any areas of their choice even in residential areas.

So far, over 40 tourism based companies and a total of above130 combined companies and individuals have joined the initiative.

Speaking to VicfallsLive, Clement Mukwasi, president of Employers Association for Tours and Safari Operators, said the initiative has taken a deliberate decision to be a green destination.

“We are putting an eye on pollution and seriously discouraging motor vehicle operators and passengers from throwing out litter from moving vehicles,” Mukwasi said.

“We are actually ensuring that the Environmental Management Agency laws are enforced while also ensuring citizen arrest in circumstances where we find them littering is effected,” he said.

Following the declaration of the first Friday of every month as a national clean up day by President Emmerson Mnangagwa in 2018, the campaign has since became a culture for all institutions and individuals locally and nationally.

Mukwasi’ sentiments were also seconded by Shearwater Adventure director Mike Davis, who recently implored the Victoria Falls City Council to strengthen bylaws on waste management and to ensure that offenders are arrested and fined.

Davis also proposed the use of environmentally friendly, biodegradable packaging to preserve the natural environment.

“About 80% of litter we send to the dump site is plastic, which destroys the naturalness of our environment and pose as a threat to wildlife,” he said.

“In the near future, plastic packaging must be banned because we are a unique community that has to learn to live in harmony with nature.

To strengthen the efforts, the Victoria Falls Waste Management Task Force which is composed of EMA, Victoria Falls City Council, Zimbabwe Republic Police and Pristine PVFS reported that in 2022, issued 35 spot fines littering tickets to individuals and business outlets within the residential and Central Business areas.

Moreso, four businesses with pits in their backyards were also asked to fill them up and clean the surrounding environment and one shop ordered to close and resume operations only when they have met minimum waste management requirements.

PVFS’s Plan for tomorrow

“Part of our team is out with major tourism players cleaning up the airport road from as early as 6am,” the organisation said.

“Team two is out on Kazungula road assessing the situation and illegal dumping areas there.”

National

Zimbabwe’s power crisis: A new dawn?

Published

1 day ago

December 3, 2024

VicFallsLive

BY NOKUTHABA DLAMINI

In a bid to alleviate the crippling load shedding that has left Zimbabweans frustrated and angry, ZESA Holdings chairman Sydney Gata has announced a 720-megawatt thermal power project.

This ambitious initiative aims to add much-needed megawatts to the national grid, bringing relief to households and businesses alike.

Speaking at the launch, Gata acknowledged the nation’s pain, saying, “I know you are angry and frustrated about the load shedding. I am tired of being insulted for these power cuts.”he was quoted at a video captured by the Ministry of Information.

His words echoed the sentiments of many Zimbabweans who have grown weary of the constant blackouts.

The project, set to be completed by December 2025, will be complemented by a 200-megawatt solar station and additional solar projects in Selous and Gweru.

This multi-pronged approach is expected to mark the end of load shedding in Zimbabwe.

Gata emphasized that this initiative is one of 18 projects spearheaded by companies in mining, industry, and commerce.

These projects were invited after the Kariba disaster, which highlighted the need for alternative power sources.

National

Victoria Falls mayor suspends town clerk amid corruption allegations

Published

2 days ago

December 2, 2024

VicFallsLive

BY STAFF REPORTER

Victoria Falls Mayor Councillor Prince Moyo has suspended Town Clerk Ronnie Dube with immediate effect amid allegations of abuse of office and corruption.

According to a letter seen by this publication, Dube’s suspension is in terms of Section 139 of the Urban Councils Act, Chapter 29:15.

The letter, dated November 2, outlines several allegations against Dube, including:

– Allocating stands 9816 and 9945 to Priscilla Thabolo and Portia Saritsozo without following Council procedures

– Awarding a contract to Cascade Engineering Consultants without following tender processes

– Selling and transferring stand 1829 in Chinotimba Township without receiving payment or following procedures

The letter states that these allegations, amongst others, have led to Dube’s suspension, and he is required to leave Council offices immediately.

“The Council will notify you on the way forward,” the letter reads.

This publication will continue to follow the story and provide updates as more information becomes available.

National

How long will Zimbabweans endure darkness?

Published

2 days ago

December 2, 2024

VicFallsLive

BY FARAI MACHAMIRE

Zimbabweans face at least two more years of power shortages as the government works to stabilize electricity generation and meet demand, the Minister of Energy and Power Development, Edgar Moyo, has revealed.

The country’s daily power generation currently averages 1,232 megawatts (MW) against a demand of 1,735 MW, with imports and load-shedding bridging the shortfall.

Speaking in Parliament (Senate) on Wednesday and quoted on ZimLive, Moyo painted a grim picture of the nation’s energy landscape but assured citizens that ongoing and upcoming projects would eventually close the gap.

“The refurbishment of Hwange Power Station’s Unit 5 will add 160 MW to the national grid by August 2026, helping address the electricity shortfall,” he said. Additionally, Unit 7 at Hwange will undergo maintenance in January 2025 to ensure its long-term efficiency.

Water shortages have further constrained electricity generation at the Kariba Power Station, which produces only 104 MW out of its 1,050 MW capacity due to low water levels.

However, Moyo highlighted a 68.75% increase in water allocation for power generation in 2025, stemming from an anticipated above-normal rainfall season.

“This will significantly increase power availability next year,” he noted.

A recent nationwide blackout on November 24 disrupted the fragile energy system, with power restored after seven hours. The cause of the disturbance is still under investigation.

To mitigate load-shedding, the government plans to rely on Independent Power Producers (IPPs), which currently contribute over 200 MW, and accelerate renewable energy projects like solar farms. Projects such as the Batoka Gorge Hydro Electric Plant, with a potential capacity of 1,200 MW, and the Devils Gorge Hydro Project, expected to generate 600 MW, are also in development.

“The repowering of Hwange units 1 to 6 over the next 48 to 60 months will restore the station’s capacity to 840 MW, significantly stabilizing the power supply,” Moyo said.

On nuclear energy, the minister disclosed that the government is exploring prospects with Russia’s ROSATOM and the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).

Thirty Zimbabwean students are currently training in nuclear physics abroad as part of the initiative.

Despite these efforts, Moyo acknowledged the challenges ahead. “Without significant interventions, the forecast demand of 1,735 MW will continue to outstrip supply, resulting in ongoing load curtailment,” he said.

Zimbabwe’s path to reliable electricity hinges on the successful completion of these projects and the implementation of efficient energy policies. For now, the nation must brace for continued power outages.

The prolonged outages, now extending to 18-hours a day, have taken a toll on households and industries, affecting productivity and increasing operational costs for businesses reliant on backup power. Critics argue that the government’s reliance on imports and promises of future projects have not eased the immediate burden on citizens.

SOURCE: ZIMLIVE