Wallace Ruzvidzo
Herald Reporter
SYNERGIES between the private sector and local authorities must be incorporated into the country’s broader urban development strategies so that more Zimbabweans benefit from efficient waste management, President Mnangagwa has said.
In his address at the commissioning of Geo Pomona Waste Management’s second batch of refuse collection equipment in Harare yesterday, the President said Government was committed to ensuring uniformity in service delivery across the country.
This, he added, was stipulated under the Agriculture, Food, Climate and Environment priority of the National Development Strategy 2 (NDS).
“Relatedly, therefore, solid-waste management facilities in all local authorities must now be transformed, modernised and technologically enabled.
“By way of background, I would like to begin by highlighting that the National Development Strategy 2 (2026-2030), which I recently launched, stipulates National Development Priorities that shall guide our work over the next five years,” said the President.
The consignment of equipment commissioned included 25 compactor trucks, 16 tipper trucks, 10 skip trucks, 5 sweeper trucks, 2 excavators and 2 spinner trucks.
The President said yesterday’s event was not just an unveiling of new refuse collection equipment, but was reflective of the continued growth of the project, which is of strategic significance to the realisation of various pillars outlined in NDS2.
“Through development models such as this one, we have a chance to promote efficient resource utilisation and environmental regeneration, as well as the restoration of natural ecosystems.
“This will, in turn, aid the safe return of biological materials to the environment, while also improving soil health, conserving biodiversity, as well as promoting the use of renewable energy sources and driving green growth.
“The continued focus on ecological sustainability innovations by Geo-Pomona Waste Management is commendable. The progress and success milestones recorded to date underscore the company’s operational consistency and determination to realise its mandate and our national development priorities,” he said.
President Mnangagwa then called on all responsible authorities to ensure that the country’s cities, towns, municipal areas and growth points become a reflection of Zimbabwe’s national image, pride and identity through sustainable waste management, beautification and clean environments.
Zimbabwe was recently recognised as the world’s best country to visit in 2025, an achievement he said should be consolidated.
“A clean environment enhances our country’s brand and image as a conducive global investment and tourist destination.
“Through ecological diplomacy, sustainable environmental practices and coordinated environmental preservation, our country now has a trusted green compliance template.
“Well done to all stakeholders in this arena,” he said.
The Geo Pomona Waste Management facility, said President Mnangagwa, further augments Government’s ongoing efforts to transform, reposition and rebrand Harare into a “world-class city”, through cross-cutting beautification and sustainable environment management programmes.
“We commend Geo-Pomona for partnering Harare City Council and Government on this agenda. Models such as the one we have witnessed here, involving the Ministry of Local Government and Public Works, City of Harare and Geo-Pomona Private Limited, reflect the importance of the Whole of Society Approach in realising our national aspirations.
“Additionally, private sector and Local Authorities synergies must be incorporated into the broader urban development strategies across Zimbabwe so that more of our people benefit from efficient waste management frameworks.
“Aspects to do with employment creation, energy generation, sustainable urban development, public health, as well as climate adaptation and resilience, remain critical in projects of this nature. No one and no place should be left behind,” said the President.
President Mnangagwa said there was also need for advanced waste sorting, waste recycling and sound waste disposal methods to be integrated into spatial planning, especially in view of increasing urbanisation.
The goal, he said, was to guarantee that waste management systems transition from being a cost centre for Local Authorities, into viable economic and environmental value chains.
“In the spirit of ensuring clean environments across our country, innovative Waste Management Frameworks are timely and most welcome.
“These must be deployed to restore order and the dignity of clean environments as a core aspect of quality service delivery throughout our country,” he said.
Under the Second Republic, Zimbabwe has witnessed increased national infrastructure development, industrial expansion and mining sector growth, along with fast-growing urbanisation and overall increased economic activity.
This, said President Mnangagwa, had brought to the fore the importance of strategies that mitigate inevitable risks and a sustainable Waste Management framework.
“The commissioning of this waste management equipment, among other similar and ongoing projects across our country, directly supports this thrust.
“Riding on the experiences and lessons learnt under this Geo-Pomona Private Limited Project, it is important that more tailor-made models for waste management and disposal be put in place to cushion our environment from our country’s future industrialisation and modernisation.
“This should enable us to eliminate and mitigate against the potential of environmental hazards which might be associated with the growth of our economy,” he said.
Heading into the new year, the President went on to challenge Local Authorities and communities in general to drive the National Clean-Up Day, which is observed on the first Friday of every month.
“I will be giving awards to the top performing local authorities with regard to observance of the National Clean-up Day, as well as clean, safe, healthy and beautiful environments.
“Let us all continue to demonstrate greater environmental stewardship, as we build, develop, modernise and industrialise our motherland, Zimbabwe.
“Tisu vene venyika ino, tinosungirwa kuichengeta zvakanaka. Nyika inovakwa, inotongwa, inonamatigwa nevene vayo/ ilizwe lakhiwa, libuswe, likhu-le-ke-lwe ngabanikazi balo,” said President Mnangagwa.
Acting Minister of Local Government and Public Works Zhemu Soda said yesterday’s commissioning of the trucks was another milestone in sync with the attainment of national goals, including the achievement of upper-middle-class economic status by 2030.
“City of Harare and Geo Pomona have made remarkable progress in addressing waste management challenges,” he said.
Harare Mayor Councillor Jacob Mafume, from CCC, said he was proud to be part of the current administration as it was solution-driven.
Garbage and uncollected waste, he said, did not have any political affiliation, hence the cooperation with both Government and the private sector.
On his part, Geo Pomona Waste Management chief executive officer and executive chairman Dr Dilesh Nguwaya said the waste management firm remained committed to delivering the best service for the people of Harare and the nation at large.
“The progress is visible and the new equipment will improve this even further,” he said.
Harare Province’s Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution, Charles Tavengwa, said Harare was grateful for the Second Republic’s forward-thinking thrust, which has ushered in unprecedented development.
He then commended Geo Pomona Waste Management for visibly transforming the ecological health of Harare Metropolitan province.
“Geo Pomona’s milestones are a flagship. We thank you, Your Excellency, for being the enabler of this project,” he said.
Vice President Dr Constantino Chiwenga, Cabinet Ministers, members of the diplomatic corps, ZANU PF Politburo members and other senior Government officials were among the hundreds of delegates in attendance.
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