“Mandlenkosi Ndlovu, I find you….and I hereby …you to…..”
The sentence passed is muffled under the noise of a tout screaming at the top of his voice just underneath the Courtroom window
Oyedwa, oyedwa, Pumula East, ebaye Pumula East ngale
The accused smiles unaware that he has been sentences to five years in jail.
Brunette Tshuma
NOISE has always been part of life and contributing to the running of everyday life in it’s unique way.
Every living aspect of life carries a certain level of noise which is a representation of life in it, meaning no noise, no life.
Gatherings of people in football fields, for a soccer match, social gatherings such as clubbing produces some aspect of noise from high powered Public Address systems, even churches produce some sort of organized noise which contains such to certain levels.
Talking of churches, it has been noted by this reporter that many Roman Catholic churches are built next to a bar ir tarven. It is the same with the headquarters of the Bulawayo diocese. Next to the Cathedral is a drinking place that strums music from its PA system at the loudest of the volume. The noise from the PA system, as it cannot be directed, finds its way way into the Cathedral while the Bishop is preaching.
It is, thus, the increased level of the noise, above the intended or required amounts, however which becomes a disturbance to the human livelihood.
According to the World Health organisation (WHO), noise pollution is defined as unfavourable noise caused by human activities. Ranked the third most harmful factor in large cities, it has been declared a serious public health nuisance.
Following this assessment, the WHO statistics has declared that noise in the residential areas should range between 55-70dB (A)(decibels). Anything above this range is considered disturbing.
Decibels are a unit of measurement used to express the ratio of one value of a power or field quantity to another on a logarithmic scale, the logarithmic scale being called the power level or field level respectively. Thus, the louder the noise, the higher the decibels.
Noise pollution, a growing environmental concern, significantly impacts the quality of life and health of urban populations.
The Central Business District (CBD) of Bulawayo is particularly susceptible due to high density of commercial activities, traffic congestion, and constant construction.
Human traffic, cars, buses, trucks, and motorcycles contribute significantly to noise levels. Honking, engine sounds, and tire noise are persistent problems especially during peak up hours.
Section 79 of the Environment Protection Act of 1907 emulates that, any person who emits noise in excess of the noise emission standard under this section shall be guilty of an offence and shall be liable upon conviction to a fine not exceeding twelve months or to both such fine and such imprisonment.
Therefore, any noise emitted in the Central Business District ought to be judged under this law.
Vehicle traffic is said to contribute the most to the production of urban noise and results in physiological effects that subsequently contribute to a large burden of disease, hence has been globally tamed a major source of environmental pollution.
Bulawayo houses such levels of noise particularly at Pick n Pay Hyper, along Leopold Takawira Ave and George Silundika, near a the Magistrates Courts. Here, there is a high concentration of Tshova Mubaiwa, Bupta Kombis and the “umshikashika” ferrying passengers in and out of town.
Mshikashika operations along 6th, 7th and Herbert Chitepo are a menace requiring immediate address. Following their location, they pose as means of disruption for ongoing court cases inside the Courts in Bulawayo.
Big running engines and honking by huge carriers such as buses and trucks passing or operating in the CBD also contribute much to urban noise.
Above the already disturbing sounds of running engines, are the Kombi conductor’s mostly referred to as ” owindi” shouting at the top of their lungs calling out to and directing passengers to their specific Kombis.
Worsening the situation in these rank locations is a large number of vendors also trying to sell their products shouting out prices to attract customers.
The Central Business District (CBD) carrying such a number means everyone has and minds their own business. One’s business shouldn’t in-fringe on the other.
With the current economic Zimbabwean situation, it is neither a secret nor a surprise how literally everyone have has become a vendor.
Competition in the business sector has in turn skyrocketed, testing the competency of many in the industry, with those who are fully employed having also adopted retailing as part of their side hustle.
Fighting against such levels of competition has brought about strategies like the $1 for two and the “huya uwode” movement where shouting out for less prices has become a means of luring customers and an added source of noise pollution.
Those with an advantage in pocket are rather making use of PA system speakers for product advertisement, promotion and announcements, which has become a foothold for survival of small enterprises and yet a disturbance in the Bulawayo CBD.
Noted with much concern opposite Hyper Pick n Pay is a retail shop which has colonised the area with high volumes for product awareness through the use of loudspeakers.
Surbuban areas have also fallen prey to such strategies as those who move around selling products tend to either call out or use pre-recorded speakers to notify customers of their presence.
Drinking which has somehow turned into literally everyone’s hobby has raised the number of liqour entities and bars in the CBD.
These have proven to be above the law as all operate till late hours without any penalty laid on them.
A noted example is of a bar located at Bulawayo Center (BC) where conversations and entertainment music has become a source of noise pollution especially in the evenings and weekends.
As if it’s nothing, these places of entertainment have rather become a means of torture for people in the CBD with residence deprived of their sleep and students robbed of their concentration in class.
World Health Organization guidelines for community noise states that noise should be less than 30dB (A) in bedrooms during the night for a good quality sleep and less than 35dB (A) in classrooms for good teaching and learning conditions.
Life is literally being sucked out of the chronically ill or elderly residence in the Central business district as they are much vulnerable to these urban disturbances thereby reducing any hope of good quality life.
Also, school going children within the CBD have their education rights undermined, as they can neither concentrate or retain the information given to them in class
In-between 6th and 7th and S. Pararenyatwa street is a school where children’s education suffer due to urban noise. With buses on the left on a hooting competition, the Centenary Park and Honda Fit drivers from the right bring in another wave of disturbance.
Who is responsible for addressing these disturbances?
Mostly failing in action but not in words, in regard to this matter is the Bulawayo City Council who have neglected both but rather chosen to occupy the seat of spectatorship and not of leadership as Bulawayo’s peace continue to perish.
Hungry because of poor remuneration and corruption are the law enforcers who have embraced taking of bribes, to look away from crimes committed, this has contributed to them failing at their duties as they let law breakers get away with murder.
Mitigation measures can be considered to reduce noise pollution in the Bulawayo CBD.
Enforcing strict noise regulations, handing out heavy fee penalties for violation of section 79 of the Environment Protection Act especially on long distance buses, haulage trucks, bars and clubs as well as shops playing music from their loud speakers, can also reduce noise pollution.
Implementing strict zoning laws to separate high-noise activities from residential and quiet zones. Especially in the case of churches found in the CBDb.Such measures will retain the peace and health of both the people and the environment.
The use of roundabouts, pedestrian zoning and speed humps to reduce traffic speed can also act to minimise noise pollution especially in the rainy season.
Noise pollution in the Central Business District requires multifaceted approach from urban planning to regulatory measures and public support. Addressing the root cause and implementing effective solutions, therefore can create a more liveable and healthy environment for the residents and visitors of Bulawayo.
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