Cleaning Up Kadoma: A Shared Responsibility

By Thomas Faranando in Kadoma

Kadoma City Council and Residents Must Work Together for a Cleaner City Environment

As Kadoma city grapples with the issue of pampers being thrown into the sewer system, it’s essential to acknowledge the shared responsibility between the Council and residents. While residents must take ownership of their actions, the Council bears the highest level of responsibility in addressing this issue.

The consequences of neglecting this issue are dire. Kadoma city has experienced devastating cholera outbreaks, including the 2008 outbreak and the recent one in 2024, which resulted in the loss of friends and relatives to cholera and other related waterborne diseases. These tragedies serve as a stark reminder of the importance of maintaining a clean and healthy environment.

First and foremost, it is the Council’s duty to educate residents about the effects of throwing pampers into the sewer system. A well-organized campaign can raise awareness and encourage responsible behavior. Furthermore, the Council should provide plastic bins to residents, emphasizing the importance of proper disposal of sanitary waste.

Timely collection of refuse in residential areas is also crucial. The Council must ensure that waste is collected regularly, reducing the likelihood of pampers being thrown into the sewer system. Moreover, the Council must take responsibility for maintaining the city’s infrastructure, including ensuring that manholes are not left open and easily accessible to the public.

This is not only a matter of safety but also of public health. Leaving manholes open is a clear example of the Council’s carelessness, and there is no excuse for such negligence. In fact, it is more cost-effective for the Council to invest in educating residents and maintaining the city’s infrastructure than to deal with the consequences of blocked sewer systems.

Anatolia Zulu, an 81-year-old resident of Ward 4, nostalgically recalled the city’s past efforts to maintain cleanliness. “As the city of Kadoma, we used to have city rangers who would move around the city educating people about health, hygiene, and safeguarding our environment. We seem to have lost that sense of responsibility and love for our city.”

Zulu’s sentiments echo the importance of instilling a mindset of cleanliness among residents. As the Bible says, “The earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it, the world and all who live in it.” (Psalm 24:1) Similarly, the Koran emphasizes the importance of cleanliness, stating, “Indeed, Allah loves those who are constantly repentant and loves those who purify themselves.” (Quran 9:108)

In Zimbabwean culture, the concept of “ubuntu” (humanity towards others) emphasizes the importance of community and collective responsibility. As we strive to create a cleaner, safer, and healthier city, we must remember that our individual actions have a ripple effect on the community.

In conclusion, while residents have a role to play in keeping the city clean, the Council bears the ultimate responsibility for ensuring a clean and healthy environment. By working together, we can create a cleaner, safer, and healthier city for all. This is a call to action for the Council to take proactive steps in addressing the issue of pampers in the sewer system and to work collaboratively with residents to achieve a shared goal of a cleaner city environment.

Unfortunately, efforts to obtain comments from the Town Clerk or Mayor were unsuccessful by the time of print.