A March for Action! Women taking the lead on climate Awareness
By Charlotte S Mhlanga
On, July 22, 2024, marked Climate Emergency Day, a global call to action designed to raise awareness and spur decisive efforts to combat the escalating threats posed by climate change.
From devastating wildfires to unprecedented heatwaves, the evidence of our planet’s distress is impossible to ignore. This day serves as a crucial reminder of the immediate need for comprehensive policies and individual actions to safeguard our environment for future generations.
As communities around the world unite in recognition of this significant day, Sisonke Working Together Trust was not left behind.
A march to demand real change from leaders and to force an end to fossil fuels was conducted.
The march commenced at the Mzilikazi post office and concluded at the local koNhlalo shopping centre. The primary objective of the march was to emphasize the necessity for community members to proactively engage in township clean-up efforts and to urge leaders to address greenhouse gas emissions before the effects of climate change reach an irreversible stage.
The climate clock is projected to drop below five years for the first time, giving the world a four-year window to implement significant and transformative measures in our global economy to prevent the temperature from rising beyond 1.5 degrees Celsius, reaching a critical threshold.
Sisonke Trust Director, Themba Phiri, highlighted the lack of public awareness and education about climate change in the community. He emphasized the urgency of educating the residents to promote their active involvement in addressing climate change issues.
“Let us take action before the situation becomes worse, we want to mobilize the youth to also join the cause however there is an alcoholism problem which makes it difficult to gather the youth towards climate change,” he said.
Sisonke has initiated several projects aimed at advancing climate change action and promoting sustainable communities. One such initiative, Green Wednesday, involves mobilizing women in township areas to participate in community clean-up efforts and land clearance activities.
Mr. Phiri emphasized that these weekly initiatives are aimed at clearing and preparing parcels of land for future community garden projects.
“We have engaged with relevant stakeholders like the city council to allow us to utilize these areas as community gardens which will act as carbon sinks,” he said.
Recently, a climate change ambassador program was launched by the trust, starting with pilot schools Mzilikazi and Lobhengula primary. The program aims to equip ambassadors with indepth climate knowledge to empower youth at the grassroots level.
Representing the Bulawayo City Council (BCC) Nomusa Mamusa Nokwanda, emphasized the importance of integrating initiatives aimed at addressing the shift in attitudes toward littering and climate change into the curriculum. “
There is an attitude Zimbabweans have which they don’t exhibit when they visit countries like Botswana yet in their own home they litter unbothered. There needs to be a behavior change toward littering, let us change our mindset toward waste.
She also added that the recycling industry is now a lucrative business that creates economic opportunities.
“We used to look at plastic, metal, and other waste material thrown out by residents as garbage, but today those materials can be recycled for money, other communities gather their recyclable waste and call companies to collect the waste and get money for it. This is something Sisonke can venture into,” said Mrs Mamusa Nokwanda.
In her final words, Sane Khumalo, the coordinator of the Sisonke Working Together Trust, expressed gratitude to the city council for their unwavering support. She also encouraged all participants to cultivate clean habits and conscientious litter disposal practices, emphasizing the importance of setting a positive example for the rest of the community.
In its efforts to broaden its impact, the organization is steadily extending its network of environmental women’s groups to additional townships such as Makhokhoba and Cowdry Park, to eventually reach more communities.
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