West Properties takes on challenge to promote clean cities

WEST Properties has joined the global campaign aimed at creating a clean environment by launching an annual clean-up and environmental awareness campaign that covers all the major cities in Zimbabwe.

The annual clean-up and environmental awareness campaign is a partnered national initiative between West Property and global sustainability advocates – Global Impact Network.

Officially launched in Harare on the 15^th of October 2021, the campaign will also see West Property, in partnership with Global Impact Network actively participating at this year’s national Tree Planting Day on December 4.

West Property’s clean-up campaign aligns to the national goals and is also consistent with government’s clean cities vision launched by President Emmerson Mnangagwa in December 2018 under the theme; “Zero tolerance to litter: my environment, my pride.”

As the campaign kicked off, the first task was to clean-up the Parirenyatwa Group of Hospitals area and its surroundings, before taking it to the Borrowdale west area.

“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,” said Tatiana Ellis, West Properties’ Chief Operations Officer, speaking on the sidelines of the clean-up exercise, which was graced by representatives from the Environmental Management Agency and officials from the City of Harare.

“Global Impact Network’s vision is to give people the power to collectively solve the world’s toughest environmental, social and economic challenges by facilitating and praising positive impact. This is why we were happy to partner with West Property in this annual clean-up and environmental awareness campaign”, a Global Impact representative was quoted saying.

In spearheading the Borrowdale West clean up exercise, West Properties’ Chief Marketing Officer, Marilyn Mosha, thanked all participants for investing their time in this worthy cause. Apparently, the location also houses one of West properties’ flagship developments – Pokugara.

“Today, each one of us had an opportunity to make a positive difference in our environment. Every small act is a step towards realisation of our global goals,” said Mosha, adding that West Properties will continue to serve communities as it commits to preserving this beautiful earth for future generations.

Volunteers, community groups and friends of West Property also joined the West Properties staff in the clean-up exercise, which fully aligned to Covid-19 protocols.

West Property’s clean-up campaign aligns to the national goals and is also consistent with government’s clean cities vision launched by President Emmerson Mnangagwa in December 2018 under the theme; “Zero tolerance to litter: my environment, my pride.”

Besides underscoring West Property and Global Impact Network’s commitment to the environment as a community development tool, the environmental awareness and clean-up campaign also dovetails with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG14 and SDG15.

SDG14 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.

West Property and Global Impact Network are therefore committing to the clean-up exercise to eradicate pollution, in full compliance to best practices on waste disposal, particularly of plastics.

SDG15 covers life on land and encourages citizens to plant a tree and help protect the environment. With forests being home to more than 80 percent of all terrestrial species of animals, plants and insects, conserving them is a global priority.

Alive to communities’ obligations towards SDG15, West Properties is geared towards making an impact at this year’s national tree planting day and beyond.

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.

They recognize that ending poverty must go hand-in-hand with strategies that build economic growth and address a range of social needs including education, health, social protection, and job opportunities, while tackling climate change and environmental protection.

More important than ever, the goals provide a critical framework for Covid-19 recovery.