By Dennis Ndlovu | Zim GBC News
In a show of civic responsibility and partnership with local authorities, the Bulawayo Vendors and Traders Association (BVTA) has donated eight branded waste bins to the Bulawayo City Council (BCC) in a move aimed at improving solid waste management and promoting a cleaner urban environment.
Speaking during the handover ceremony, BVTA Vice President Juliet Samson said the gesture reflects the association’s commitment to public cleanliness and acknowledges the growing role of the informal sector in sustaining the country’s economy.
“We are a public voluntary organisation and we are very grateful to the people,” she said, standing beside the newly marked bins.
“The economy of Zimbabwe is now largely held by the informal sector. Whether you’re formally employed or not, many citizens rely on vending to surviveeven just to raise transport money.”
Samson explained that the bins had been marked for waste separation to help streamline the city’s refuse collection system and support waste pickers.
“We know the challenges of waste management. These bins are labelled to simplify disposal plastic goes in one, food waste in anotherso even waste pickers can easily collect recyclable material,” she said.
“This will reduce litter in the CBD, promote composting, and encourage cleaner trading spaces.”
Bulawayo Mayor Senator David Coltart applauded the donation, describing it as a critical step in the city’s broader vision to restore cleanliness and attract investment.
“One of our primary goals in the city is to transform it to clean it up,” said Coltart. “We want to make Bulawayo an attractive city not only for residents but also for potential investors.”
The mayor noted that a disorganised or dirty city would deter investment and undermine development. “No investor is going to come into a city which appears to be chaotic, disorganised, dirty, and perhaps unhealthy.”
The bin donation marks a growing collaboration between informal traders and the city council, as both work toward a cleaner, more sustainable urban environment.
Bulawayo City Council’s Cleansing Superintendent, Nkanyiso Ndlovu, described the donation as a valuable reinforcement of the City’s ongoing waste management efforts.
He said the city has long prioritised environmental education, particularly among school children, as part of its strategy to instill responsible waste habits from an early age.
“We regularly conduct waste education sessions with school children because we believe that starting young is the key to long-term change,” said Ndlovu.
He noted that the donated bins would bolster existing campaigns focused on waste segregation and proper disposal, which align with the City’s ambition to meet international cleanliness standards.
“These bins support what we are already teaching residents. As a City, we are already implementing some of the best waste management practices,” he added.
Addressing concerns about the upkeep and safety of the bins, Ndlovu expressed confidence that community ownership would lead to better results.
“Since the donation comes from the vendors themselves, we will place the bins in their operating areas, and they will help educate their peers on proper maintenance,” he said.
He acknowledged the broader challenge of maintaining public infrastructure, calling on residents to take collective responsibility.
“Let us use these bins. Littering shows we are neglecting the facilities provided. The city cannot be clean if we all don’t play our part.”
Ndlovu urged citizens to take pride in keeping Bulawayo clean, saying, “Everyone must come to the table if we are to restore Bulawayo’s rightful status as a clean city.”
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