LOCAL real estate firm West Property Company has joined the global campaign aimed at creating a clean and sustainable environment by launching an annual clean-up awareness campaign covering all major cities in Zimbabwe.
Officially launched in Harare on 15 October, the campaign will also see West Property, established in 2007 to develop property within the greater Harare area, actively participating at this year’s National Tree Planting Day on 4 December.
The company started its clean-up activities at the Parirenyatwa Group of Hospitals area and its surroundings before taking it to the Borrowdale West environs in the capital.
Tatiana Ellis, West Property chief operations officer, recently told the event, attended by representatives of the Environmental Management Agency and the City of Harare, that it was important to keep the city and surroundings clean.
“Besides being located close to the West Property offices, we have made it our shared commitment to ensure that the Parirenyatwa Hospital area is kept clean at all times, befitting of a health institution,” she said.
West Property chief marketing officer Marilyn Mosha said it was worthwhile to invest time in a worthy cause like promoting and ensuring a clean environment. Borrowdale West also houses one of West Property’s flagship developments – Pokugara.
“Today, each one of us had an opportunity to make a positive difference in our environment and community. Every small act is a step towards realisation of our global commitment on the environment and associated goals,” she said.
Volunteers, community groups and friends of West Property also joined the staff in the clean-up exercise.
West Property’s clean-up campaign aligns with Zimbabwe’s national goals, consistent with clean cities vision launched by President Emmerson Mnangagwa in December 2018 under the theme: Zero Tolerance to Litter:My Environment, My Pride.
Besides, the environmental awareness and clean-up campaign are in line with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 14 and SDG 15.
SDG 14 speaks to life below water and challenges citizens to avoid use of plastics, and to dispose non-degradable matter correctly to keep the water bodies clean. It is estimated that over three billion people depend on marine and coastal biodiversity for their livelihoods.
SDG 15 covers life on land and encourages citizens to plant a tree and help protect the environment.
According to the UN, the SDGs are a call for action by all countries – poor, rich and middle-income – to promote prosperity while protecting the planet. – STAFF WRITER.
