Harare, (New Ziana) –The City of Harare and other local authorities should should collaborate with environmental agencies and development partners in addressing the challenges of waste management that they are grappling with, a senior government official has said.
Deputy chief secretary to the President and Cabinet Paul Damasane said this on Wednesday at the groundbreaking ceremony for the Harare Sustainable City Initiative (HSCI) held in Mabvuku-Tafara, about 20 kilometres east of the capital.
He urged boards such as the Environmental Management Agency (EMA) to take a collaborative approach to tackling environmental issues.
“We are paving the way for a sustainable future where waste is seen not as a problem, but as an opportunity for economic growth and transformation,” he said.
“By transforming these sites into productive integrated resource recovery centres, we are not only enhancing the livelihoods of our waste reclaimers, but also promoting environmental stewardship among our citizens.”
The HSCI project aims to increase recycling efforts and improve waste management facilities by turning former dump sites into mechanised processing centres.
Damasane emphasised that such initiatives require cooperation between government agencies, local authorities, and development partners.
“I applaud the collaborative efforts with local authorities and government departments, such as the Environmental Management Agency, in this initiative, bearing witness to our commitment as government to foster a collaborative approach in developing our nation and safeguarding our environment,” he said.
The project, supported by various international partners including the governments of Sweden, the United States, France, Germany, and Australia, aligns with Zimbabwe’s National Development Strategy and the Zero Waste Initiative that First Lady Dr Auxilia Mnangagwa launched in 2024.
Damasane also urged the local communities to take an active role in the initiative by promoting recycling and waste-to-wealth practices.
Speaking at the same event, United Nations Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator Edward Kallon emphasized the importance of partnerships in unlocking investments and achieving sustainable development.
“We have a remarkable opportunity to unlock $12 billion in investment across diverse sectors through public and private partnerships,” he said.
New Ziana
